Woyzeck Game

Theatre: Live Art Society (Esitystaiteen seura)
Premiere: 19.04.2022
Produced / co-produced by: Live Art Society

Touring information

Running time at full length Total duration 120-345 min. Consists of 2 to 4 chapters / performance (60 minutes / chapter). Performance consisting of two chapters = 2h. Performance consisting of all 4 chapters = 4h (+ possible discussion 45 min to 1h 45 min)
Interval yes
Stage required (height/width/depth) min. width + depth + height: 7 + 1,5 + 2,53 m
Scale of show / Special requirements Can be presented alternately:
1) 4 x 8m in a pink market tent in a public space. Audience size 30-70. (Touring outdoors possible spring, summer, autumn.)
2) without a tent in a theater space or other space, etc., which can accommodate our stage structure. Audience size 30-200. (Touring possible also during winter time.)
No. of people on tour 4
No. of performers 2
Used language English (Finnish) - The play, manuscript available in Finnish
Requires a clear understanding of Finnish or another language ---
Subtitles needed
English synopsis on demand
Simultaneous translation ---
Touring season available for touring
Availability for workshop and educational work
1) Possibility for discussion series, Woyzeck's Peer Support Group (after the performance) with local political activists and artists. A shared safe space for discussion and support to people who are united by precarious situations, around varying themes.
2) Possibility for workshop for professionals about the techniques used in the performance.

Key personnel

Directed by Lauri Antti Mattila
Written by Lauri Antti Mattila & Klaus Maunuksela
Concept by Lauri Antti Mattila
Performers Lauri Antti Mattila & Lin Da 0
Lighting design Alina Pajula
Sound design + music Viljami Lehtonen
Stage design Teija Turtio
Costume design Jenni Räsänen
Video design Viljami Lehtonen
Other credits Creative coding, technical implementation of the game Viljami Lehtonen

Contact information

Contact Lauri Antti Mattila
Telephone +358 40 7427787
Email lauriantti.mattila@gmail.com

LINKS

video compilation
Live Art Society Homepage

ATTACHMENTS

Technical rider

WOYZECK GAME

Live Art Society’s (Esitystaiteen seura) performance explores bodies and machines, dreams, ghosts and everyday life mixing in cyborg citizenship. Interactive work by Lauri Antti Mattila, Viljami Lehtonen, Lin Da, Teija Turtio, Alina Pajula, Jenni Räsänen & Klaus Maunuksela blends live art, video game, theatre, installation into public space.

Woyzeck Game is a cyborg marionette theatre, where audience can participate as either a spectator, a player, or a game character. Set up consists of a terrarium, seats for the audience, and a separate gamer’s room. It’s a machine that examins the coexistence of technology and humans in relation to everyday life and the use of power.

With the audience observing, one gamer at a time can play the Woyzeck Game. The gamer is situated in a separate gamer’s room. The human-avatar is controlled by remote-controlled human technology (i.e., using earphones, a microphone, a computer, and a video connection).

On stage, there’s a terrarium, where the play happens, and two screens that transmit gamer’s video view and text-adventure-view to the audience seated in front of the terrarium. The performance is every night different depending on the gamers’s choices.

The idea is to picture the contemporary precarious worker that is mixed into machines. The performance deconstructing Büchner’s classic play can be seen as a commentary on the neoliberal conception of man. It creates a setup for technology-assisted play where the roles played are interchangeable, and through digital means and the game format explores the possibilities of audience participation.

Its ingredients are depression, exhaustion, sorrow and longing for touch. Its atmosphere is colored by anticipation and some kind of recovery (melancholy after faded trauma). It is a play that dismantles the self into many through game, theater, role changes and acts of care.

”Rarely do I become as aware of the many emotions associated with a situation of exercising power. The atmosphere of Woyzeck Game becomes vulnerable, even dreamy. The show sensitizes you to encounters and is relentless towards the abuse of power." – [review] Maria Säkö, Helsingin Sanomat 21.4.2022