The Lesbian Tangle

In 1943, police were called to an apartment in Stockholm to investigate an apartment fight. When they entered the apartment, they found two women sleeping close to each other on a couch. The story that unfolded after that was a multifaceted tale of love and jealousy, where five women had been involved with each other in different constellations since the 1930s. This event went down in history as “the lesbian tangle”, and it is one of few cases in Swedish history where female homosexuality has been prosecuted.

This is a larp about these women. About love, jealousy and what happens when everything comes to a head because someone finally calls the police.

Long Description

In 1943, police were called to an apartment in Stockholm to investigate an apartment fight. When they entered the apartment, they found two women sleeping close to each other on a couch. The story that unfolded after that was a multifaceted tale of love and jealousy, where five women had been involved with each other in different constellations since the 1930s. This event went down in history as “the lesbian tangle”, and it is one of few cases in Swedish history where female homosexuality has been prosecuted.

This is a larp about these women. About love, jealousy and what happens when everything comes to a head because someone finally calls the police.

The Lesbian Tangle is a 3hr larp based on actual historical events. It explores the tangled web of relationships and struggles between 5 women. Relationships are assumed to be romantic and sexual, though the sexual aspects are not detailed or played out.

All characters are women, but players of any gender may play respectfully.

Structure

A handful of quick workshops will be used to build comfort between players, and practice metatechniques and touch boundaries.

The larp consists of a lot of short scenes that span over almost ten years, from when they first start seeing each other in the 30s to when the verdict is declared in 1943. The scenes specify date, place, who is in it, and what happens during the scene. Players will play out the scene for a couple minutes while the others watch. Players can expect to spend half the time playing in a scene vs watching.

The larp facilitator will steer the larp, calling and cutting scenes.

The larp is optionally transparent, with players allowed to read the scenes or other characters in advance.

Physicality

Default level of touch is gentle non-intimate touch. In all situations players can opt out of being touched.

To simulate kissing and making out, a form of ars amandi will be used. It involves gentle touching of the cheek.

Players should expect to play out physical closeness with others as well as using the meta technique for kissing and making out. Roleplay will include flirting, unclear relationship agreements, forming new relationships and ending them.