Choreographer / theatre maker Sophia Rodriguez investigates whether intentionally provoking friction between people is a way of freeing them of psychological and cultural differences, which often get in the way of communicating with others.

The performers meet each other in an imaginary playground in a park. Inspired by workshops with children during the research period for FRICTION, the performers develop a playground for adults, a chill-out zone where individuals with varying intentions confront each other, play and often literally stumble over one another. Away from the smoothness, they throw themselves into the clash of opposing forces. At night, the playground reveals people with hidden fears, utopian resistance and unfulfilled desires.

The players create an imaginary park that is a combination of artificial props, real tree trunks and branches from nearby parks, but also machine-made (fake) wooden planks. In FRICTION, individual convictions and identities rub against each other as if they were pieces of dry wood. This inflammable situation is presented as an essential part of transformation: fiery, playful, and inescapable.