Dictate

There is a performance.
It is about commands.

The play is called: Dictate.
It is a performance.
It is about commands.
And about obeying.

Obeying means:
You listen.
And you do what you are told.

It is about power in everyday life.

The play shows:
Many people get instructions every day.
Do this.
Do that.

For example:
At home.
At school.
Or at work.

The play asks:
Why do we obey?
Why do we follow orders?

The artists collected information.
And wrote a lot down.
For example:
Instructions.
Rules.
Commands.

From childhood.
From school.
From the internet.

The actors play a simple game.
On stage.

One person gives commands.
Another person follows them.
Then it is reversed.

Later, the game changes.
The audience decides:
Who obeys whom?
And how long does each person follow orders?

This way, the audience experiences:
How power feels.
How obeying feels.

The play also shows:
Words have power.
Power over other people.
Decisions have consequences.

It is about values.
And about human rights.
And about the question:
How close are democracy and dictatorship?

Democracy means:
Everyone has power.
Everyone decides together.

Dictatorship means:
Only one person has power.
One person decides everything.

The first performance was in 2014.
The place was Kassel.

The concept and direction were by
Gunnar Seidel
and Dominik Breuer.
Several performers took part.

The project was supported by
the City of Kassel
and the State of Hesse.

Photos by Brachland-Ensemble.