Pen: What’s the point? Pencil: The point? The point of what? Pen: Well, the point of everything? Eraser: I really don’t feel like doing this.

*Paperas* is a performance for young audiences (8+) about the power and limitations of words.
A pencil, a pen, a felt-tip marker, and an eraser are stuck together inside a pencil case.
Every now and then, one of them is ‘chosen’ to go on an adventure in the big, unknown outside world. They return with stories about romantic love letters, difficult tests, abstract drawings, stressful tax returns, and other paperwork.
The analog writing tools soon realize that out there, they are running out—wearing down. The eraser fears erasing itself completely, the marker is afraid of losing its cap and drying out, and the pencil knows that every time her tip is sharpened, she gets a little shorter. To brave the outside world, the writing tools must work together; understanding one another—and the role language plays in that—becomes their greatest challenge.

Text and concept: Freek De Craecker and Femke Platteau
Director: Femke Platteau
Cast: Freek De Craecker, Melanie Barelds, Maya Albert, and Joshua Smits
Coaching: Gina Beuk
Costumes and design: Louis Verlinde and Veerle Vervliet
Lighting design: Bram Geldhof
Music: Tijl Piryns
Production management: Kelly Vermeiren
Technical support: Bert Demeulenaere
Business management: Dorien Vranckx
Production: One Eyed Jack vzw
In co-production with: Het LAB/CCHA, fABULEUS/OPEK, 30CC/Rode Hond Festival
Supported by: The Flemish Government, Tax Shelter/Perpodium. with thanks to: Kristof Van Baarle, Simon Baetens, Loes Carrette, Loes Swaenepoel, BRONKS, VIERNULVIER, Kopergietery, The European House of Authors