by Karolina So?tys and Mo Holkar

The Intro|Spective theatre company eagerly/nervously await the performance of their farewell show – an autobiographical piece which looks back at their own dramatic and turbulent history as a performing group. Afterwards, the company will disband. But they haven’t finished writing the show, yet… will it be a triumph or a flop? What secrets will emerge? Will there be noises off? It’s Just a Stage is about performance – did you give your best in the role you were cast in, both onstage and off-stage? Which mask did you wear before the public? – before your lovers, friends and rivals? – in front of the mirror? You will take the role of a member of the Intro|Spective company, as they prepare, perform, and post-mortem their farewell show. How much blood will you leave on the stage? How much makeup will you leave on your face? How many layers will you unpeel? [Note: no actual performance skill required! Your characters may be immensely talented actors, but you don’t have to be.] Play takes place in the theatre’s backstage common room, over two acts separated by an interlude during which the farewell show is simulated. The company will be preparing and rehearsing the show beforehand; and afterwards, saying their farewells and settling any remaining scores as the group disbands. Within the two acts there are five scenes, which have a mood structure that you will be encouraged to use to shape and to create the story arc that you wish for your character. This is a larp created by the players as well as the designers, in the tradition of games like Freakshow, None but the Brave and The Outsiders from recent Consequences. You will build your characters together, adding personality details and interrelationships to the skeletons that we’ve designed for you, at a workshop which precedes the game proper. You might choose to play a character that’s similar in some ways to yourself – perhaps to explore some of the various roles that you perform. Or you might prefer to play someone quite different – perhaps to get an insight into the performance demands of a different kind of life. This larp will appeal to people who are interested in the Nordic scene, and/or in indie storygaming – and who want to get right inside a character and to play intense emotions. Laughter and love will mix with jealousy and rage, comedy with tragedy – but remember, It’s Just a Stage.