Veerle Baetens & Bo Spaenc - Here, I as empress (Molenstraat 103/bus 5)

On stage: a woman and a man. An actress and a musician. Music, body, and words together tell the story of one figure, who is so colorful that there seem to be multiple characters on stage. Veerle and Bo throw themselves into the interaction with each other and the audience. In full surrender to the narrative, they dare to float, sweat, yield, and sometimes succumb. The tension on stage, sometimes harmonious and sometimes rebellious, stands in contrast to the isolated bubble in which the main character has withdrawn. Outside was too fast, too loud, too demanding, too many roles. Indoors, there is routine to fill the void: hey Google, YouTube, chat GPT. Inside she is free, the Empress in her realm, superwoman, unapproachable, enfant terrible. Then her door opens a crack. She, disconnected and replaceable, will she confront it? Inspired by the hikikomori phenomenon, where people rarely leave their house or room. Inspired by the loneliness economy that offers simple alternatives to the complex efforts that human relationships require. Inspired by a world whose pace we cannot follow and yet we miss something. Inspired by the desire to be rid of that exhausting world. With 'Hier, ik als Keizerin', Bo and Veerle make music theater in which word, song, and instruments surprise each other and go their own way in a contrary manner. Veerle Baetens is an actress, director, screenwriter, and singer. In 2012, she made her international breakthrough with her lead role in the film 'The Broken Circle Breakdown', for which she won multiple awards. Since then, she has mainly focused on film and television projects. Now she accepts Bo's invitation to be on stage again. From the very beginning, she gives direction to this performance in terms of content and form by addressing a theme that is close to her heart and offers opportunities to weave words with physical play and music. Bo Spaenc provides a rebuttal with both grotesque circus sounds and an honest sound of vocals, Indian organ, organic percussion, and toy piano. Bo made music theater with strong storytellers like Lucas van den Eynde, Peter De Graef, Tania Van der Sanden, Bart Hollanders, Warre Borgmans, Vic De Wachter, Stefaan Degand, and Bruno Vanden Broecke, against his 'live' music. Spel Veerle Baetens Livemuziek Bo Spaenc Script based on an idea by Veerle Baetens & Kiana Porte, written by Veerle Baetens & Yoline Denys Compositie Bo Spaenc