## övrigt

Scene 1 – Prologue

An alpine landscape where factory workers (ensemble) arrive at a lingerie factory, located both in the city and the countryside. The chorus, acting as the narrator, introduces an idyllic image of the landscape and the factory but also highlights that the workers lack perspective and are bound to their work and familie

Scene 2 – I the city factory

Brigitte, a 20-year-old seamstress, steps forward from the chorus and reflects on her life and future with her love, Heinz, who also works at the factory. She dreams of a better life beyond her current job and envisions a future where she can marry Heinz and escape the factory.

Scene 3 – Outside the countryside factory

The chorus describes life in the countryside, where Paula, a young woman dreaming of a different future than the traditional path, appears.

Scene 4 – In Paula’s cramped family home

Paula expresses her desire to become a seamstress rather than a housewife or a shop assistant, but her mother resists her wishes. Her father eventually accepts her decision when she offers her apprentice wages and promises to help on the farm.

Scene 5 – In the orchard outside Heinz’s family home

Brigitte and Heinz are in his parents’ garden, where Brigitte expresses her love for him and her hope that she won’t have to work if they are together. Heinz’s parents discourage him from choosing Brigitte, and he promises to give her an answer later.

Scene 6 – In the countryside factory

The chorus tells of Paula, who now works at the factory and naively dreams of love. She feels pressure from other women, who are jealous and protective of what they have.

Scene 7 – A dance floor in the forest

Paula attends a dance and learns to say no to unwanted attention. She meets Erich, a young lumberjack, and they become interested in each other.

Scene 8 – In the orchard outside Heinz’s family home

Heinz introduces Brigitte to his parents and sister, and she tries to make a good impression by helping with household chores. His parents express their wish for him to find a wealthier partner.

Scene 9 – In Paula’s cramped family home

Paula invites Erich to her home and shares her dreams and ambitions with him. She expresses her desire for a life different from the one she has now.

Scene 10 – In Erich’s home (a farm in the mountains)

Paula and Erich visit Erich’s home, where his family is suspicious and physically punishes him. They fear that if he marries Paula, he will abandon them.

Scene 11 – In the city factory

Brigitte continues her work at the factory, dreaming of a future with Heinz and hoping to become involved in his business. She waits for him after work but is not allowed to hold his hand.

Scene 12 – In Brigitte’s and her mother’s apartment

Brigitte and Heinz have a sexual encounter, and Brigitte hopes that a pregnancy will secure a lasting relationship and a future together.

Scene 13 – In the countryside factory

Paula decides to leave her seamstress training behind and pursue happiness with Erich.

Scene 14 – In Paula’s cramped family home

Paula prepares to fully commit to her relationship with Erich.

Scene 15 – In the village square

Erich and Paula are seen together when she leads him to the barn, where they have sex.

Scene 16 – In the orchard outside Heinz’s family home

Brigitte discovers Heinz with a young woman, Susi, threatening her dreams of the future. She feels intense rivalry toward Susi, although the young woman has her own motives.

Scene 17 – In Paula’s cramped family home and the village square

Paula struggles with the social consequences of her pregnancy and her relationship with Erich, who refuses to stand by her. Her aunt demands that Erich take responsibility, leading to the entire village finding out about the pregnancy. Paula fails to bring Erich back to her. She gives birth to their daughter.

Scene 18 – On a seaside promenade

Brigitte is confronted with Heinz’s flirtation with Susi and must deal with her jealousy and fears for the future.

Scene 19 – In Brigitte’s and her mother’s apartment

Brigitte takes advantage of Heinz’s desire for Susi to engage in unprotected sex, resulting in her pregnancy. She sees it as a victory and a way to secure her future.

Scene 20 – Weddings in city and countryside

Parallel weddings take place: Paula and Erich, as well as Brigitte and Heinz, each couple holding different visions and expectations for their future lives.

Scene 21 – In Paula’s cramped family home

Paula and Erich’s relationship becomes more complicated as Paula struggles to care for a newborn. Erich rapes Paula.

Scene 22 – In the orchard outside Brigitte and Heinz’s Home

Brigitte and Heinz’s relationship evolves as they expand their home, while Heinz’s parents struggle to accept the changes.

Scene 23 – In a Simca

Paula wrestles with her new life with Erich and their children, trying to maintain an illusion of freedom.

Scene 24 – In Paula’s cramped family home

Paula struggles with daily life and her self-worth as she compares herself to the other women working at the shop where she was once employed.

Scene 25 – In the Orchard Outside Brigitte and Heinz’s Home

Brigitte and Heinz continue renovating their home, while Susi, now engaged and expecting a child, returns to show off her new life.

Scene 26 – In an alley outside a cinema

Desperate for an escape from her troubled life, Paula resorts to actions she is not proud of: she sells her body to men to afford an apartment.

Scene 27 – At the inn

Paula’s choices lead to rumors and contempt from the villagers, further complicating her already difficult situation.

Scene 28 – In Paula’s cramped family home

Paula faces the consequences of her decisions and is forced to leave her children behind as she departs the village in search of a new beginning.

Scene 29 – In the City Factory

The story comes full circle as Paula takes Brigitte’s former place in the factory, while Brigitte now lives the life she once dreamed of. Paula realizes she has nowhere else to go and resigns herself to her fate in the factory.