SPINOZA - Stefaan Van Brabandt, The Southern Theater & Han Kerckhoffs

Over the past ten years, philosopher and theater maker Stefaan Van Brabandt wrote and directed five plays about great thinkers. From their tragicomic lives and inspiring ideas, he made accessible, sparkling theater each time. Philosophers of flesh and blood, told in a language that sticks. Theater that makes you laugh, moves you, and makes you think. In April 2027, Van Brabandt will resume his entire philosophy cycle with the original cast. And that will happen in five Flemish cities at the same time! Every week, the performances swap cities and so every philosopher also passes by CCHA. Five plays in five weeks: a carousel of thinkers. Spinoza is the one who sets the carousel in motion for us. Freedom, reasonableness, and happiness: that is what this Dutch philosopher from the 17th century is all about. In his time, he was banished because of his radical ideas about faith, freedom, and democracy. Throughout Europe, his books were banned for centuries. And yet he is one of the most influential thinkers in history. Han Kerckhoffs (known from, among others, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, Toneelhuis, NTGent) plays Spinoza, but also enters into a dialogue with his thinking as himself. What does his philosophy still mean for us today? How does Spinoza look at God? What does he think about free will? And above all: how can we realize a joyful life according to him? SPINOZA is the first performance within the Philosophy Carousel. concept & direction Stefaan Van Brabandt / performance Han Kerckhoffs / dramaturgy Wannes Gyselinck / artistic advice Piet Menu / production De Verwondering / © Phile Deprez stefaanvanbrabandt.com