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

Minnie Maes is the smallest, grayest gray mouse. She leaves no traces — so minimal is Minnie. In a world that is becoming increasingly harder and uglier — or as she says: hard-uglier — Minnie withdraws. In Molenstraat 103 bus 5 she is Empress and she wields the scepter. Here she burns her mousiness and her mood rules. And otherwise: off with her head. But is she allowed to spit fire in a world that is already burning? Or does she then become what she abhors: 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 itself 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 can be in a head that feels too much. About the terrifying and liberating act of taking up space. And about what happens when the world is suddenly at your door again. 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. She made her directorial debut with the film Het smelt, based on the novel by Lize Spit. Now she accepts Bo’s invitation to be on the boards again with Here, I as Empress. 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 interweave word with physical acting and music. BO SPAENC gives a reply with both grotesque circus sounds and with an honest sound of vocals, Indian organ, organic percussion, and children's piano. As artistic leader of Muziektheater De Kolonie – and later as a freelancer – 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, opposite his ‘live’ music. These productions were invariably extensively featured in the CCs. Met Hier, I as Empress, Bo and Veerle make music theater in which word, song, and instruments surprise each other and go their own way in a contrary manner. Credits 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 Coaching: T.B.D. Costumes: Manu Verschuren Set, light and sound design: Dries Bellinkx Producent: PER PODIUM & BO SPAENC BV Co-production: CC ASSE & CC HERENT Photo: Lennert Madou Met thanks to centre culturel de Beauchevain & Theater Vooruit Boechout Met the support of the Belgische Tax Shelter measure of the Federale Overheid