Larisa Faber's 'The Land We Shared' premieres at Artsdepot

The Romanian director Larisa Faber will premiere her new play, 'The Land We Shared', at Artsdepot in North Finchley on 15th October 2026. The production, which Faber describes as auto-fiction, explores themes of grief, surrealism, and unfinished family business.

Faber began writing the play following the death of her grandmother. She found a bag of clothes with a note from her grandmother stating these were the garments she wished to be buried in. This discovery inspired Faber to create a documentary theatre piece that incorporates songs and surreal elements.

Speaking to Barnet Post, Faber explained her approach to the material. "I didn’t want to write an autobiographical play, because I found that too restrictive and intrusive," she said. "It’s refreshing to be able to take a step back and craft something bespoke for the stage, regardless of this or that real anecdote."

The play features surreal elements, including a protagonist who transforms into a cabbage. Faber stated that this imagery was present from the outset, noting that the surreal nature of life under the Romanian communist dictatorship made such stylistic choices appropriate for the story.

Faber indicated that while the play is auto-fiction, she took significant artistic liberties. "I couldn’t have written it if I hadn’t made peace with the more personal aspects of it beforehand," she told Barnet Post. "The business needed to be finished for me so that I could write and take those liberties."

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The director hopes the audience will connect with the universal themes of the play. "If you’ve loved your grandmother as much as I have, this show is for you. If you’ve had a heartbreaking, difficult relationship with another family member, this show is for you," Faber said. "It’s about grief, letting go and deep love as much as it is about Romania."

Alongside personal narratives, 'The Land We Shared' also touches upon how the Romanian communist dictatorship influenced its citizens. Faber expressed a continued emotional connection to her country's history, stating, "My Romania lives in my family’s stories more than in current Romania."

The premiere performance of 'The Land We Shared' is scheduled for Thursday, 15th October 2026, at 7:30pm at Artsdepot. Tickets for the event start at £19 and can be purchased through the Artsdepot website.