Veerle Baetens & Bo Spaenc - Here, I as Empress

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 several 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 collapse. The tension on stage – sometimes harmonious, sometimes rebellious – contrasts with the isolated bubble in which the main character has withdrawn.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, does she dare to confront? 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 tiring world. based on an idea by Veerle Baetens & Kiana Porte, written by Veerle Baetens & Yoline Denys Uitvoerders: - Lennert Madou - image - Veerle Baetens - performance - Bo Spaenc - live music