We live in a society driven by the idea of progress; democratic progress, scientific progress or technological progress. A progress meant to bring us all social justice, wealth and wellbeing, a new world or even a new planet. Nicoleta Esinencu’s new work delves into this idyllic idea of progress, exposing its layers of violence. The progress of the capitalist system that relentlessly develops new forms of exploitation and colonization. The progress of technology that controls and punishes but never protects or supports. The progress of violence in the relations between the West and the East, violence that has definitely only flourished during the pandemic when in western societies migrant workers were exploited. Supported by the hammering sound of work tools and machine parts, Nicoleta Esinencu and the collective spălătorie tell the story of the people of Eastern Europe who are forced to work under ignoble conditions in the west in order to survive.

HAU Hebbel am Ufer has been functioning since the 2003–2004 season as a theatre complex with three auditoriums in Berlin. It does not have its own company of actors, but serves as a performance space for theatre festivals, touring shows, and co-productions. Before joining together, these three spaces operated as independent theatres serving the public in districts of Berlin with a vulnerable population. HAU has attracted attention from the beginning with its firmly political and avant-gardist orientation and the particular attention it pays to the young public and young artists.

Founded in 2010, teatrul-spălătorie (“the laundry-theatre”) has attracted attention internationally with its unsettling, political productions, tackling the dysfunctionalities of recent history—many of them in collaboration with theatres in Berlin, Graz, Stuttgart,  Düsseldorf, etc. Earlier his year, it was awarded the prestigious Tabori Prize for Internationally Active Artists by the Fonds Darstellende Künste (Performing Arts Fund).

A performance in Moldavian Romanian, Russian and English with subtitles in English.