Kes Bakker, Anna De Graeve and Toon Acke - Party Time

After ‘Housewarming’, Toon Acke, Kes Bakker, and Anna De Graeve make a dangerously current and sensual performance with ‘Party Time’ around the question of whether power always corrupts. In a country on the verge of a civil war, an exclusive and influential group gathers during a party. While the streets are on fire, people are chatting, laughing, and eating comfortably – inside. It’s party time! On one side, a revolution that is about to happen, on the other side, concerns about membership in an exclusive tennis club. But while waiting for the other guests, a hypocritical struggle unfolds among those present that revolves around status, recognition, and power. A party on the edge of the abyss. After ‘Housewarming’, the trio Acke, Bakker, and De Graeve are working together again. They are writing a new text, for which they are inspired by the one-act play ‘Party Time’ (1991) by Harold Pinter and the non-fiction book ‘Het uur van de wolven’ (The Hour of the Wolves) (2025) by Giuliano da Empoli. In this way, they connect classical repertoire with the world of today. Muzikant Engel Peet creates a sizzling and alienating sound score. ‘Party Time’ becomes a biting satire that asks whether (political) power always corrupts. Can idealism survive within an economic system that is structurally built on self-interest? Is there also room for doubt and vulnerability within that power? ‘Party Time’ promises to be a dangerously current and sensual performance by a set of theater makers we believe in very strongly. Concept, text, and cast: Toon Acke, Kes Bakker, and Anna De Graeve Geluidsontwerp: Engel Peet Coaching: Willem de Wolf Lichtontwerp: Thomas Walgrave Coproductie: STAN and PerPodium With the support of: c o r s o, NTGent, Theater Arsenaal, De Studio, and CC De Steiger Met thanks to: Patrick Sterckx, Benoît Vanraes, and Kristof van Baarle Promobeeld: Illias Teirlinck Op location: CC de Steiger Menen