Papercut asks how far you would go to stand up for your values

Theater

Inspired by the School Leaks scandal, Larisa Faber’s play premieres at the Mierscher Kulturhaus on January 22

When local playwright and actress Larisa Faber wrote cut paper, she wanted her audience to wonder how far they would be willing to go to defend their values.

The play, which will premiere at the Mierscher Kulturhaus on Saturday January 22, is inspired by the 2015 Luxembourg School Leaks scandal. .

Hoffelt was part of a primary school student exam assessment committee, which received primary school test questions in advance, which she pointed to as a flaw in the system.

She was suspended but won two court cases before finally returning to work as a teacher. Faber’s piece deals with the consequences of speaking when being silent would have been a more comfortable choice, and asks that if you knew the price to pay, could you and would you do it again?

Real life inspiration

Writing a play based on a true story is nothing new for Faber. His first piece, Disko Dementia, was based on abuses that allegedly took place in a retirement home in Luxembourg.

“I got a chain message to sign a petition six years ago, and realized it was the teacher at my old school who also ran the drama club I was attending,” Faber said. . “It was one of the only extracurricular activities and it was a magical place. A good number of us who joined the club now work mainly in the arts.”

Larisa Faber finds inspiration for her pieces in real events

Photo: Roxanne Peguet

Two years ago, Faber began speaking directly with Hoffelt about battling depression and reviving his career. “I have always been attracted to people who are able to sacrifice their personal, professional and mental well-being to defend a cause or values. Would I have done something? How many times have I witnessed injustices and been misappropriated the look,” she said. .

No discussion on the Luxembourg education system

cut paper was a tricky piece for Faber, in part because it was inspired by conversations with someone still living the consequences of whistleblowing, and she struggled for over a year to get it right.

“I originally planned for a documentary-style approach to lived experience, but I found that difficult to capture,” she said.

Faber feels that Hoffelt invested herself enormously in her work, and when she was suspended, a branch of her identity crumbled. “She thought, perhaps naively, that a segment of the population would agree with her. If not the political establishment, then teachers or parents. But hardly anyone supported her. She was isolated,” said Faber.

“I wasn’t surprised by this result, just that there was no discussion, people didn’t want to make a fuss, but were happy to accept this imbalance. My lived experience of the school system Luxembourgish was that subjects were often taught without encouragement of critical thinking, with an emphasis on memorizing things with little discussion.When I went to university in London, I found it difficult to speak during lessons and discuss ideas.

Talk show concept

Partly as a tribute to Hoffelt’s much-loved drama club and partly to unleash his writing and creativity, Faber staged his play as a late-night talk show.

Faber hopes the humor will land well with audiences and resonate on some level

Photo: Jeanine Unsen, Mierscher Culture House

“Hoffelt said her story has never been told, so in this talk show format we can tell her story,” Faber said, adding that she chose English because it’s relevant to many people, not only Luxembourgers, but also foreigners who have their children in the local system but who do not necessarily speak the languages ​​of schooling.

British actress Andrea Hall plays the show’s host, while local actress, artist and musician, Sascha Ley plays guest. “I worked with Andrea in London and I know Sascha, so I approached them before anything was written,” Faber said.

Sound, music and projection intertwined

Sound design is by Luka Tonnar, son of local singer-songwriter Serge Tonnar, with video content by Maida Halilović.

“The musical compositions and numbers incorporate different styles ranging from rock to soul,” Faber said. “There’s a fun element to this serious story, but it will test people’s sensitivity to humor.”

cut paper will be played at the Mierscher Kulturhaus on January 22, 25-27 and 29 at 8 p.m., with a school performance on January 28 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased here.

Faber also wrote a monologue, completely naked, which she has already performed in London, and which will be performed at the Neimënster cultural center in March. It is one of five texts published in a book by Black Fountain Press.

The Luxembourg Times has a new LinkedIn page, follow us here! Receive the Luxembourg Times in your inbox twice a day. Sign up for your free newsletters here.