VEERLE BAETENS & BO SPAENC

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 it seems like there are multiple characters on stage. Veerle and Bo throw themselves into the interaction with each other and the audience. In full surrender to the storytelling, they dare to float, sweat, yield, and sometimes succumb. The tension on stage – sometimes harmonious, then again rebellious – stands in contrast to the isolated bubble in which the main character has retreated. Outside was too fast, too loud, too demanding, too many roles... Indoors there is routine to fill the void: hey Google, YouTube, ChatGPT... 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 face the confrontation? Inspired by the hikikomori phenomenon, where people rarely leave their house or room anymore. 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 tiring world. CAST: Veerle Baetens LIVE MUSIC: Bo Spaenc SCRIPT: based on an idea by Veerle Baetens & Kiana Porte, written by Veerle Baetens & Yoline Denys COMPOSITION: Bo Spaenc COACHING: Jan Bijvoet (OV) COSTUMES: Manu Verschuren SET, LIGHTING AND SOUND DESIGN: Dries Bellinkx PRODUCER: PERPODIUM & BO SPAENC BV CO-PRODUCTION: CC ASSE & CC HERENT PHOTO: Lennert Madou Met thanks to centre culturel de Beauchevain & Theater Vooruit Boechout. With the support of the Tax Shelter of the Belgische Federale Overheid.