Thomas Janssens, Evelien Bosmans & Tanya Zabarylo

Early bird price 17 euros In 1926, the Russian psychiatrist Groenja Soechareva secretly founds The Forest School. That is a place where neurodivergent children are allowed to live freely. She does not describe them as 'disturbed', but as gifted, and introduces the term autism years before Kanner and Asperger do. Her work is censored, her name becomes erased. A hundred years later, a director, newly diagnosed with autism, brings together a number of neurodivergent actors. He wants to bring Groenja's project back to life. Who were those children? And what if their future had been given space? Together they wonder who determines the norm and what happens when labels disappear? “Janssens brings a performance that - besides its theatrical qualities - also makes an important social point. People on the autism spectrum look at life in their own unique way. Janssens invites the audience to look at this alternative experience of reality with an open mind.” (pzazz) At 7:30 PM there is a free introduction in the foyer of Schouwburg Rex. By and with: Evelien Bosmans, Thomas Janssens, Ann Omloop, Lucas Smets, Britta Tegenbosch, Danté Van Den Broeck, Kato Van Dyck, Heidi Van Immerseel, Oscar Van Rompay, Hade Vlieghe & Tanya Zabarylo Stage: Emma Claessens, Astrid Cox and Floris Xhenseval https://thojanssens.be/the-forest-school