Play

With their montage of found footage of audiences, Müller and Girardet shape a captivating dramatic arc. It contains condensed suspense with highs, lows, hesitations, peaks, tension and humour; it´s all a bit uncanny, since our imagination can read fathoms deep into the faces.

(Anke Groenewold)


Play takes a look at the audience, studying the frequency, types and volume of applause in theatre auditoriums, concert halls and cinemas. As the applause swells and ebbs, Müller and Girardet appraise the many dramatic stereotypes employed in these situations (the meaningful exchange of glances; voyeurism; the emphasis upon the reaction of the individual in the...