THE LAST ONES by Lars Otterstedt
A reflection on the right to be oneself.
“The worst form of oppression is not the one visible to the eye, but the insidious and subtle, low-intensity oppression that hides in the shadows—the kind that conceals itself behind goodwill and kindness.”
In the near future, the global economy collapses. The world is thrown into chaos, and a post-apocalyptic atmosphere prevails everywhere. To restore stability, the new social order decides that all costs must be eliminated. A new radical cure consisting of a wandering gene combined with reproductive embryos has been developed to be administered to people with physical and mental disabilities. Everyone is given six months to voluntarily take the capsule before drones carrying the cure in gaseous form are deployed… Today is the last day.
All over the world, people are taking the capsules. Wheelchair users are walking, the blind are seeing, and the deaf are hearing. For many deaf people, the capsule represents an internal struggle. Should they be part of the rebuilding of the global economy, or should they refuse to be stripped of their language, their culture, and their identity?
At the world’s last cultural festival for the deaf, four young people have decided to flee from forced medication. They steal an old truck, but end up stranded in a ditch on the edge of a forest.
Why have these four, of all people, fled together? What do they have in common? Is there a traitor among them? Will they make it to the old woman in the forest and manage to hide there? Will the drones hunting them down discover them and complete the extermination of the deaf in the world?
“The final scene is electrifyingly powerful. The five actors step forward on stage and say: ‘Everyone is silent. Everyone is paralyzed.” At first, they say it in slightly different ways, before it gradually becomes a shared mantra of gestures. First, a finger to the mouth, then they press a cupped hand to their chest.” and “I’ve seen the play twice, and this scene moved me both times.” – Per Christian Selmer-Anderssen, Aftenposten
Cast:
Director: Josette Bushell-Mingo
Playwright: Lars Otterstedt
Dramaturg: Mari Moen
Voice actor: Marit Synnøve Berg
The script was developed with support from Dramatikkens hus
