Happyland… It used to be a nice place. Discussions were civilized, the chairs were ergonomic, coats were padded and the intentions were good. Anyone who grew dissatisfied or bitter, surely had only themselves to blame?
Duration: 90 minutes - Language no problem
concept en regie
Zarah Bracht
spel
Matteo Bifulco, Melyn Chow, Ashley Ho, Anneke Sluiters, Dennis Tiecken
muziek
Ata Güner
scenografie
Liesje Knobel
lichtontwerp
Hendrik Walther
dramaturgisch advies
Mazlum Nergiz
techniek
Marvin van den Berg, Renate Hofkens
productie
Emma Boots
producent
Productiehuis Theater Rotterdam
As an increasing number of illusions are starting to shatter, it gets harder to believe that everything is fine – even in Happyland. After all, nothing is good for no reason, and it might be better that way. But how do you live with discomfort, turmoil and disillusion?
Children of Happyland is an allegorical world, somewhere between a fairy tale and a nightmare. Zarah Bracht exposes the nerves of our time: the interaction between fragile elderly and angry loudmouths, insecure teens and aggressive salespeople, conspiracy theories and nuanced thought, ecosystems gasping for breath and harsh economic measures. Visually and physically, the performers show blind spots and tunnel visions, vulnerability and defense mechanisms, demonstrations and gated communities, fear and courage.
About Zarah Bracht
Theatre director Zarah Bracht (1990, Hamburg) feels connected to contemporary political and social themes, but never approaches them in a journalistic or documentary way. Instead, she examines the sentiments and urges that lie dormant underneath the public debate, and translates them into magically realistic worlds. After Wholesale destruction and Being wrong and how to admit it, Children of Happyland is Bracht’s third performance at Productiehuis Theater Rotterdam.
