Jan Lauwers . Needcompany

How does a community bear a terrible event? In his new production, Jan Lauwers, together with Needcompany, examines how people collectively cope with suffering and tragedy. An explosion kills twenty-four villagers including seven children. The survivors face a new reality of grief, sorrow and loss. In 'Marketplace 76' Lauwers reconciles dark themes such as incest and abduction, paedophilia, suicide, love and friendship with the possibility of happiness and the chance to carry on. A kaleidoscopic epic story structured by the four seasons. As always, this work comprises hope and faith in the power of togetherness despite all the adversity. Then, like the deus ex machina in Greek tragedy 'a lifeboat falls from the sky'. Jan Lauwers was commissioned to write this new play by the Ruhrtriennale in Bochum, where it will premiere in September 2012, and the Burgtheater in Vienna, where Needcompany has been artist in residence since 2009. In January 2012 Lauwers was the first Belgian to receive the Gold Medal for Services to the Republic of Austria.