A Paper Life
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
The performance was specially created for Festival Deventer Op Stelten 2024.
On June 12,13 and 14 TAMTAM the first 9 shows were performed in the historic Bergkerk in our home town Deventer
Creators and performers: Gérard Schiphorst and Marije van der Sande
Production assistant: Jarko Peters
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
