Here, I empress - Veerle Baetens and Bo Spaenc

Minnie Maes is small and gray. Very gray. Actually, the grayest mouse there is. She leaves no traces, Minnie is that minimal. In a world that is becoming increasingly harder and uglier, or as she says "harder-uglier", Minnie withdraws. In Molenstraat 103 bus 5 is her empire. That is where she rules. That is where she burns away her mousiness and governs her mood. And otherwise? Off with their heads. But is she allowed to breathe fire in a world that is already burning? Or does she then become what she detests: a hunter, a chaser, a colonist? Does she become that man on an imperialistic victory march, with only scorched earth in his wake? And who heals the wounds then? Veerle Baetens and Bo Spaenc search for a possible answer. Veerle embodies Minnie. She gives her a voice. Bo’s music weaves through her words and forms a second voice in Minnie’s universe. Here, I as Empress is a musical monologue about loneliness, power, and doubt. About how loud it sounds in a head that feels too much. About the terrifying and liberating act of taking up space. And about what happens when the world unexpectedly stands at your door again.