Liefdesverklaring
We are not pretending that you are not here.
You are not thin air for us.
You are of crucial importance to us
because you are here. (Handke, 1966)
The performance
LIEFDESVERKLARING (Declaration of Love) by choreographer Nicole Beutler and playwright Magne van den Berg is a re-rendering of Peter Handke’s play Offending the Audience, which caused a sensation in 1966 when it brushed aside every rule of theatre. LIEFDESVERKLARING turns the original text on its head to create a seductive and disorienting ode to theatre and its audience. Six young actors speak, dance and beatbox the words, all carried along by the irresistible electronic beats of DJ and composer Gary Shepherd.
Nicole Beutler and Magne van den Berg have been collaborating regularly since 2009, making such stage works as 1: SONGS in 2009 and PIECE (also with young actors) in 2011. It’s impossible to categorise their work. Is it dance? Is it drama? Or is it an out-of-control pop concert? Whatever it is, it’s always a thrilling experience.
The text of Liefdesverklaring is now available as booklet at De Nieuwe Toneelbilbiotheek
credits
Concept & direction
Nicole Beutler, Magne van den Berg
Text
Magne van den Berg, based on Offending The Audience by Peter Handke
Performers
Allen Assi, Bastien Bodarwe, Siska Bouwen, Laetitia Janssens, Stephanie Peeters, Jonas Vermeulen
Music
Gary Shepherd
Gestures
Justa ter Haar
Costumes
Dorine Van Autreve
Stage design
Timme Afschrift
Dramaturgic advice
Peter Antonissen
Production
fABULEUS (B), NBprojects (NL)
Coproduction
Takt Dommelhof, Kunst Leuven vzw in the frame of the city project "Versalius kruipt onder je huid"
reviews
"(...) at the end of the show comes the difficult farewell, which puts a strain on both the actors and the audience. Difficult as is any parting between those who have lived a common experience."
(PAC Magazine di Arte & Culture, 18/10/2016)
“More than solely an exuberant celebration of theatre and its audience, this is first and foremost a mischievous appeal: dare to be yourself, a performer in life.” (Els van Steenberghe, Knack, 14/10/2014)
“The stark staging, the intelligent and joyful acting, and the infectious performances combining physical movement and voice make for such a delightful experience. These young people have got it all.”
(Tuur Devens, Theaterkrant, 10/10/2014)
"Beutler and Van den Berg’s approach to the texts through music and dance actually sees them reaching for the same goal as Handke’s: audience engagement – a sense of being there. And they succeed magnificently. We’re all on the edge of our seat, thinking about their proposal." (Mirjam van der Linden, de Volkskrant, 21/11/2014)
"One of the performers stands before an audience member to proclaim her love. A male colleague kneels on the floor and treats someone else to a melodious and heartfelt serenade. Try as you might, it’s impossible to remain unmoved."(Jacq. Algra, Het Parool, 20/11/2014)