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A Paper Life
“Imagination and 45 years of craftsmanship – in manipulation techniques, in dramaturgy, scenography, composition – harmoniously merge here in a captivating game of paper.” Theaterkrant.nl
A poetic visual performance, not with the usual selection of objects, but with only one material.
Wrapping paper, and nothing else.
The set consists of a large roll of simple wrapping paper and a long table.
No scissors, no tape, no glue, no stapler.
Only sturdy brown wrapping paper.
Because the talent of wrapping paper is infinite.
Well, at least until the roll runs out.
Tearing, wrinkling, folding and crumpling creates a paper world populated by paper creatures.
What is usually just the packaging and thrown away, is now playing the leading part.
A worthless wad of paper suddenly apperears to be a wrinkled living being.
And thus the imagination is put to work. Before the eyes of the spectators wrinkles, strips, wads and scraps are turned into actors in poetic scenes. There is no text so every one can make their own story in their own head.
The performers move the paper to a soundtrack of noises and music so that the audience starts to believe in this paper life.
The soundtrack was composed and played by Gérard Schiphorst.
The song “After silence” was composed and performed by Oleg Fateev (accordion) and Simone Sou (percussion)
See also The Making Of page
Audience reactions
The performance is suitable for adults and children aged 8 and over.
More information follows
On January 24 ,2025 this performance premiered at our 45 year anniversary party in theatre MIMIK in our home town Deventer.
Three technical versions
We have developed three technical version:
NB: With the first two we come with our van and bring our own technical set up and set. See the tech rider here
Version 1: In theatres
One for in theatres where we combine our technical setup with the one of the venue.
The venue will have to be a theatre with a proper lighting rig, own stage lights and DMX control of the lights possible from the stage. It should be a black box with total darkness.
We combine the stage facilities with our own lighting and soundsystem.
Version 2: in any room ( that is large enough…)
We bring an autonomous set-up with black backdrop on stands and autonomous lighting and sound that can be set up in any darkened room.
A tribune or rising seats are necessary in the room.
Version 3: flyable version
In this case we only bring the paper and a laptop and small lighting desk. The festival will have to construct part of the set, and provide us with the right light and sound equipment and a black box theatre to be able to perform the show. This version is only for in fully equipped theatres.
See the rider for the flyable version here.
See the annexe about the tables to construct here
Contact us for more info
Creators and performers: Gérard Schiphorst and Marije van der Sande
Third Eye: Kathrin Blüchert
Production assistants: Jarko Peters, Annette van de Pavoordt
Soundtrack and compositions: Gérard Schiphorst
“After Silence” was composed and performed by Oleg Fateev on Bayan and Simone Sou on Cowbells.
Photo’s by Femke Teussink
