The mockumentary musical Marie Curie – Hystérie is an original project of the Initiative for Mockumentaristic Theatre. The artists were inspired by the Swedish prose writer and playwright Per Olov Enquist’s novel The Book about Blanche and Marie which is about the fictional friendship of two real historical personalities − the Nobel Prize winner for physics and chemistry Marie Curie Skłodowska (1867-1934) and the famous hysterical patient at the La Salpêtrière sanatorium in Paris Blanche Marie Wittman (1859-1913).

The creators focus on historical facts that marked the lives of both protagonists and recharge them by their research of historical sources that broaden their intimate story. Thus unfolds the problem of science, which, along with progress, also brings about abuse, in the field of psychiatry and chemistry. Using the means of mockumentary theatre, the musical draws parallels between the turn of the 19th century and the beginning of the 21st century, and plays around with the form of musical, monodrama and performance. With the transformations by the actress Tina Vrbnjak, it also challenges ingrained stereotypes and beliefs. Each scientific discovery shakes its own foundations and discards previous beliefs, but at the same time establishes the ground for new forms of prejudice, assumptions and errors. Marie Curie – Hystérie mockmusical explores these ideas with a critical distance and performative humour.

With thanks to Ivan Peternelj, Maja Sever, Petar Uhan, Primož Klavs, Aljaž Jovanović, Svetozar Polič, Gledališče Glej, Hiša eksperimentov (House of Experiments), and each other for their help in making this project happen.

Featuring in the commercial Nina Ivanišin
Accordionist in Street Organ of Barbarity Uroš Jezdić