Black - A Journey into Europe's Heart of Darkness: Congo
As a source of inspiration for Black, Luk Perceval used a true account by one of the first travellers to Congo in history: African-American William Henry Sheppard, billed as the 'Black Livingstone’. Sheppard travelled from New York to Africa via London in February 1890 as a missionary for the Presbyterian church. Together with his white travel companion Sam Lapsley – both men still in their early twenties at the time – he began a life-changing adventure across completely unknown territory, where he encountered one surprise after another.
Unlike Lapsley, who couldn’t physically cope with the mission, Sheppard thrived, until the money from the church ran out and he had to return to America for new funds. On his return, he was vocal about the abuses in Congo, and he is one of the first to denounce Leopold II’s disgraceful exploitation.
In Black, a reconstruction of Sheppard’s authentic travel logs will be made, inspired by the fiery lectures he gave to win financial support. He didn’t shy away from dramatic effect and exhibited art and utensils, responding to the craving for exoticism by the average Westerner. In America at that time, Sheppard’s lectures provided more than one shock: due to the colour of his skin, black spectators were allowed into theatres for the first time where he appeared, admittedly in the highest balcony. Sheppard’s story testifies, alongside a deep-seated fear for the unknown, to a ubiquitous racism.
cast
credits
production management
Sebastiaan Peetersmusic
Sam Gyseldirection
Luk Percevaltext
Fiston Mwanza Mujila, William Sheppard, Aminata Demba , Nganji Mutiri , Steven Heene , Luk Perceval , geïnspireerd door James Baldwin, Jef Geeraerts, Gil Scott-Heron, William Shakespeare, Giordano Bruno, Pagan Kennedy, Lucas Catherine, Joseph Conrad, Jean-Paul Sartre, Aimé Césaire en zuster Adoniadramaturgy
Steven Heeneintern dramaturgy
Lilly Buschscenography
Annette Kurzassistant scenography
Sammy Van den Heuvelcostume design
Ilse Vandenbusschelight design
Mark Van Denessedirection assistant
Liesbeth Standaertstage manager
Marc Swaenenlighting technique
Sander Michielssound engineering
Jannes Noorman, Frederik Vanslembrouckassistant sound
Sibbe Velghestage technique
Eddy Deschepper , Ramon Blancquaertprops
Flup Beysset realisation
Luc Goedertier , decoratelier NTGentrealisation costumes
An De Mol , Mieke Vander Cruyssendresser
Micheline D'Hertogetour manager
Katrien Seeuwstechnical production management
Oliver Houttekiettechnical and production coordination
Patrick Martensthanks to
Steve Dugardin, Elke De Brouwer, Ted Stofferthis production was realized with the support of
The Belgian Tax Shelter