“Loro plays Laura” is a documentary music theater piece revolving around Laura Pausini. On one hand, it involves a musical re-enactment of her album ‘Laura’ (1994), and on the other hand, it embarks on a theatrical quest to uncover the secret of Laura Pausini’s success and what it means to ‘play’ her. She is the (absent) central figure, thus others step in to portray her: ‘Loro’, third person plural in Italian, plays Laura. A tribute and anniversary concert serve as the anecdotal inspiration for a performance about success, kitsch versus sincerity, individuality, and collective identity. With Laura as the protagonist and touchstone, infused with a hint of Italy and mirrored as a strategy.
During their residency at Walpurgis, Lennert collaborates with musicians Caitlin Talbut, Nicolas Anné, Samuel Vekeman, and Jutta Daems to reinterpret Laura Pausini’s music.
About the creators:
Lennert De Vroey (1994) works as a writer and theater maker by day, dreaming of music at night. He studied Political Science (University of Ghent) and Drama/Performing Arts (KCA). He was part of Montignards #5 at Monty (2021), performed in RETOUR (LAFS, 2021), and Royal Deluxe (ZvA, 2023). Currently, he is involved in ‘SHIT (a shitty performance about shit)’ (2024) and conducting a performative research on palm trees (gouvernement, 2023-2024). With Rendier, he creates seasonal (Christmas) music.
Gilles Van Hecke (1996) studied Acting at RITCS. Since then, he has been active as a creator with Vielleicht and as a performer in theater (including The Gob Squad, Ontroerend Goed, NTGent, Antigone), film, and television (such as Dertigers, Hoodie). With Vielleicht, he directed ‘Misschien eens zonder ironie’ as part of De Warande’s KAAIMANNEN.
Image:
Laura Pausini receiving the New Talent award at the Sanremo Festival, 1993
RAI Uno (copyright expired)
