Theatre, cinema, miniatures and trumpet combine for a dystopian tale
How can we create our own utopia?
Swiss based theatre group Frau Trapp bring their debut show, “Five Lines”, to the Barbican Centre’s Pit space as part of MimeLondon 2025. A master class in micro-cinema theatre, “Five Lines” explores what it means to be human in the face of disaster and repression.
Frau Trapp is the brainchild of Matteo Frau and Mina Trapp, artists from multidisciplinary backgrounds that combine their experience of clowning, circus, puppeteering, set design and trumpet-playing to create a wholly unique piece of art. Having taken a course on micro-cinema theatre together, Trapp and Frau banded together to explore this innovative, new form of performance. Born out of the horrors of the COVID-19 pandemic, the genesis of “Five Lines” began.
Following fictionalised versions of Frau and Trapp themselves, the story of “Five Lines” takes a dive when an earthquake, coupled by numerous other environmental catastrophes, hits the city they live. The answer: T.O.P.O.. A new cooperation who have built an entire underground city to house the refugee population, Frau and Trapp become one cog in the capitalist machine, disappearing into the mass of people kept confined under the earth. What will it take for them to find the will to fight back?
This tale asks interesting questions about the power of art in oppressive societies and what we can do to keep our humanity in the face of homogenisation. But it is how these themes are coupled with the mediums that are employed which sparks the most insight.
Utilising live video projection, cameras on hand held stabilisers scan across miniature city vistas, accompanied by tiny paper figurines of citizens and characters. The textures of the walls of the buildings give a grungy life to their facades. Tiny cars move on miniature tracks. LED desk lights are shone across the landscapes and plumes of haze emerge from the ground.
There is honestly too much to mention when it comes to how “Five Lines” utilising their miniature models, decked out across three tables on the stage. The way that Frau, Trapp and their two supporting performers seamlessly blend their manipulation of the set into a non-stop, live film is incredible to watch – like an intricately choreographed movement piece.
Frau also dazzles with his trumpet. Played live to a backing track, the trumpet becomes the musical motif across “Five Lines”, knitting together each scene with a smooth and swanky melody.
The culmination of all of these disparate elements, from live projection to miniatures and trumpet, is a sight to behold. Frau Trapp have excelled in creating a wholly unique work of art that should be seen by all.
Sounds fascinating!! I don’t often go and see theatre like this, but (if it’s still at the Barbican) I may have to check this out! I’m so intreagued 👀