Beyond the forest, the world

Two actresses wait for us, sitting on a long carpet in front of a map of the world. They are about to tell us the tale of Farid, a young Afghan boy, taking us on a grimly topical initiatory journey. Beyond the forest, the world talks about the migrant crisis in Europe, as seen through the eyes of a child. Suitcases litter the stage, appear with at every step of the journey, every new crossing, and with each stop they open, alternately revealing new worlds and comfortingly familiar figures. From fiction to reality, the time of the characters gets closer and closer to that of the audience, and the story stops to let the brutality of the situation sink in. On the stage, the actresses wonder about the situation of women in Afghanistan, the role of theatre and of the individual, and how to re-imagine this children's tale in every European country... It's a brave journey towards the unknown, sometimes disturbing, and with an unpredictable ending, but accompanied by the sweetness of family memories.

Miguel Fragata and Inês Barahona
After studying philosophy, Inês Barahona tried her hand at various things, from writing to dramaturgy to the basics of pedagogy. Miguel Fragata trained in drama, worked with several companies as an actor, and now works as a director. Together, they founded the company Formiga Atómica in 2014, and have developed projects aimed at adults and children alike which explore the close relationship between art and education. They have repeatedly chosen to focus on contemporary topics: death with La Marche des éléphants (The March of the Elephants), the refugee crisis with Beyond the forest, the world, or adolescence with Montagnes russes (Roller Coaster).

With Émilie Caen, Anne-Élodie Sorlin

Text and direction Inês Barahona, Miguel Fragata
Translation Luís de Andrea
Music Teresa Gentil
Stage design Maria João Castelo
Lights José Álvaro Correia
Costumes Maria João Castelo

Production Formiga Atómica
Coproduction São Luiz Teatro Municipal - Lisbonne, Théâtre de la Ville - Paris
With the support of  República Portuguesa - Cultura / DGArtes - Direção-Geral das Artes
In partnership with France Médias Monde