Gruis/aan de twijfel

In Gruis / aan de twijfel Sita dreams of writing a children’s book, starring Little Bear Bombazine. But in truth only a few short verses have made the page. Troubles in the lives of her daughter Pearl and her husband Clemens keep her away from the typewriter. She drowns herself in a sea of voices of her motley neighbours, her own thoughts and the radio that incessantly continues to play in the background.
After Solipsists (2022), the KASK alumni of Werktoneel – Jesse Vandamme, Louise Bergez, Lucas Van der Vegt, Joeri Happel, and Lucie Plasschaert – are continuing their investigation of human isolation. Whereas Solipsists focused on the individual consciousness and the extent of its subjectivity took precedence, the young, hyper-talented theatre collective now welcomes us to the nihilistic universe of author Willem Frederik Hermans, populated with characters who together try to make sense of everyday banality, of reality that has become a barely comprehensible chaos.
(read more after the quote)
"Brilliant and awfully good"De Morgen *****
When celebrated author Willem Frederik Hermans released his novel Uit Talloos Veel Miljoenen in 1981, most reviews were negative. The sequel to Onder Professoren was very lukewarmly received by critics. Over forty years later, Werktoneel is not bothered by this moderate success. In their new performance, the five young makers bring the wry and hilarious novel to life. As an antidote to reason, they make the madness palpable and show that the world can only be understood from a manic state of mind.
Supported by a soundscape based on the vain radio shows that fill the airwaves at lonely hours, Gruis / aan de twijfel forms an antidote to our self-proclaimed transparent and positive society, offering a critique of our desperate optimism about progress.
credits
performance & creation
Louise Bergez , Joeri Happel , Lucie Plasschaert , Lucas Van der Vegtdirection & concept
Jesse Vandammedramaturgy
Kaatje De Geestset & costume design
Chloé Wasselin-Dandrelight design
Dennis Dielssound design & music
Laurens Mannaertsadvice
Laurens Anecaproduction
NTGentNEWS
- 18 May 183 — De Standaard (NL) - 'Willem Frederik Hermans wordt subliem spelerstoneel' (Recensie Gruis/aan de twijfel ****)
- 18 May 183 — Knack (NL) - 'Groots spel in een grijs dekendecor' (Recensie Gruis/aan de twijfel ****)
- 25 Apr 23 — De Morgen (NL) - 'Jesse Vandamme en Werktoneel grijpen WF Hermans briljant bij de lurven' (Recensie 'Gruis/aan de twijfel' *****)
- 25 Apr 23 — Etcetera (NL) - 'De armzaligheid van het bestaan vormt de rijkdom van het stuk' (Recensie 'Gruis/aan de twijfel')
- 12 Apr 23 — Knack Focus (NL) - 'Werktoneel laat zich voor Gruis/aan de twijfel inspireren door Willem Frederik Hermans'
- 31 Mar 23 — Radio 1 (BE) -'Jesse Vandamme over Willem Frederik Hermans: "Ik herken mezelf enorm in de figuren die Hermans creëert"'
- 23 Mar 23 — Nieuwsblad (BE) - 'Afgekraakt boek over zuipende professoren tot leven gewekt door groepje “jonge Gentse goden”' (over Gruis/ aan de twijfel)
- 9 Jan 23 — VRT - 'NTGent opent jaar met producties vol talent van eigen bodem: "Acteurs van absolute wereldklasse"
- 4 Jan 23 — De Standaard - 'Van afropera tot ‘1984’ voor pubers: de beste podiumtips voor het voorjaar' (Gruis/aan de twijfel)
- 29 Jun 22 — Focus Knack - "Louise en ik kennen elkaar al sinds de puberteit"- (kort interview Jesse Vandamme over Louise Bergez)
IN THE PRESS
TICKETS
This performance returns during our 23-24 season. Register yourself on the waiting list here.
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