CAPITALISM FOR CHILDREN

“The economy is too important to leave to the economists.” (Yanis Varoufakis)

“There is no heaven - we have to find what’s good for everyone here and now.” (Pumped Gabo)

How would you explain the system we live in to a child? And would we be able to discuss it meaningfully? A fictional tribe accidentally invents capitalism through the appropriation of an apple tree. This gives rise to a research-based, tabletop lecture performance that unfolds before our eyes the functioning of the concepts of work, trade, and property. 

In their first collaboration, Orsolya Fodor and Péter Varsányi set out to understand capitalism. Like any serious research, this one also begins on Quora – and leads all the way to a tribe that accidentally invented capitalism. What happens when two naïve, pure-hearted puppet directors encounter a wild-capitalist tribe? Who colonises whom? What must a person do in life if they are Péter? And if they are Orsolya?

This time, the directors step onto the stage, using the power of their creative and research experience—and of their friendship—to rewrite the myth of capitalism. Combining video, tabletop miniatures, mockumentary, and lecture performance, the production explores what lies on the horizon of the system and beyond.

Performers: Orsolya Fodor, Péter Varsányi

Creators:
composers: Petra Szászi, Botond Bartokos
assistant director: Lujza Szirtes
set designer: Patrícia Pajor
editor: Áron Farkas
cinematographer: Áron Farkas, Bence Sipos
lighting designer, technician: Ákos “Papa” Lengyel
production manager: Dániel Mayer
theatre consultant: Ádám Czirák
theatre education consultant: Anita Patonay
financial consultant: Júlia Király, Máté Simor
dramaturgy intern: Boglárka Bozsaky
writer, director: Orsolya Fodor and Péter Varsányi

supporters: Jurányi Production Community Incubator House, Trafó House of Contemporary Arts, FÜGE Production, Budapest Metropolitan Municipality, SÍN Arts and Culture Center, Stereo Akt, SzínMűhely Foundation, Chili Fitness

The production was realized as part of the Staféta program announced by the Municipality of Budapest.

Photos: Máté Kalicz/Trafó