Works: Christophe Meierhans

Luca Mattei

Trials of Money

Can the money we all use on a daily basis, be held responsible for the disastrous state the world is in today? In other words, if it is true that “money rules the world”, are we then not entitled to make it accountable for what has happened to the world under its governance? Trials of Money approaches this somewhat candid statement with the seriousness of a court of justice.

Based on interviews made with different bankers, lawyers, persons in extreme precarity, psychotherapists, economists, philanthropists, debt relief workers, representatives of indigenous nations, or monetary activists, Christophe Meierhans delivers their testimonies by responding to any questions the audience might want to ask them. This piece is an invitation to collectively investigate what money actually is and what it does. It is an invitation to challenge the idea that money is only a means at the service of human intentions and to attempt another reading of the relationship humans have with the system of exchange they invented for themselves.

Initially created as a theatre piece with 4 performers on stage, the performance evolved into a solo from 2019 on, intended to be performed in- and outside the traditional theatre context, in university classes, in board meetings of banks, in conferences and so on.

Credits

Concept & realisation: Christophe Meierhans Performance: Christophe Meierhans, Luca Mattei With the collaboration of: Shila Anaraki, Jochen Dehn, Adva Zakai Dramaturgy: Bart Capelle Original scenography: Decoratelier Jozef Wouters Light saber microphones: Alexis Pawlak, Gaia Carabillo Costumes: Sofie Durnez, Valerie Le Roy Monetary advice: Olivier Auber Production: Hiros, Elisa Demarré Co-production: AUAwirleben, BIT Teatergarasjen, Next Festival, FAR°, Kaaitheater, Nouveau Théâtre de Montreuil, Teatro Maria Matos, Vooruit, ZonaK With the support of: Vlaamse Gemeenschap, ProHelvetia