In l984 The power of theatrical follies meant the definitive international breakthrough not only for Jan Fabre. The very young Wim Vandekeybus gave up his psychology study to be able to play in this performance.
Almost 30 years later, Fabre reconstructs his theatre marathon of 4,5 hours scene by scene, movement by movement with a young generation of performers. In this era of speed and new media the performance is possibly even more radical today than it was then. “Now we deal with the physical body in a different way and our awareness of time has changed”, says Jan Fabre. “That’s why the performance has become even more vital, more essential”.
Fabre exposes the illusion and the fiction of theatre. It is not for nothing that Andersen’s fairy tale ‘The emperor’s new clothes’ is the thread in the performance. Don’t we all like to believe in fairy tales ? In frogs that turn into princes ? In princesses that are saved by knights on white horses ? Theatre is the art of the lie and the audience is an accomplice.
Experience a historical theatrical moment, an iconic performance that dethrones art as an icon.
Direction: Jan Fabre / Music: Wim Mertens (published by USURA) / Costume design: Pol Engels, Jan Fabre / Assistance to the director: Miet Martens, Renée Copraij / Hairstyling: Savagan (Brussels, Oost-Duinkerke, BE) / Performers: Maria Dafneros, Piet Defrancq, Melissa Guerin, Nelle Hens, Sven Jakir, Carlijn Koppelmans (Fontys Dance Academy, Tilburg, NL), Georgios Kotsifakis, Dennis Makris, Lisa May, Giulia Perelli, Gilles Polet, Pietro Quadrino, Merel Severs, Nicolas Simeha, Kasper Vandenberghe. / Realisation of the costumes: Katarzyna Mielczarek / Technical crew: Thomas Vermaercke, Geert Vanderauwera / Production Manager: Tomas Wendelen / Coaching: Hans Peter Janssens (singing), Tango Argentino (Marisa van Andel & Oliver Koch) (tango) / Interns: Giulio Boato (dramaturgy) (University of Bologna, IT), Yorrith Debakker (performer) (Artesis Hogeschool, Antwerp, BE), Zafiria Dimitropoulou (performer) (Karolos Koun Art Theatre School, Athens, GR) / Production re-enactment 2012: TROUBLEYN/JAN FABRE (Antwerp, BE) / In co-production with: DESINGEL (Antwerp, BE), ROMAEUROPA FESTIVAL (Rome, IT) / World premiere 2012: Impulstanz Festival (Vienne, AT)
