her(e)

Her(e) is based on long conversations with black female artists, actresses and activists. On that basis, Hermans wrote a play about their lives in Belgium. About challenges and hope, work and theatre, families and sisterhood. A political and intimate evening.
Dalilla Hermans, author of 'Brief aan Cooper en de wereld', 'Zwart', 'Brown Girl Magic', 'Black-Out' and columnist at De Standaard, researched for her(e) her own experience in recent years in books and columns. For her first theater piece, she wanted to capture, beyond her own view, the special sisterhood that exists among black women.
Together with Abigail Abraham she drew up a guest list of inspiring black women in Flanders and Brussels and invited them for a 24-hour stay at Villa Hellebosch. No less than 31 women (actresses, singers, illustrators, writers, social workers, poets, dancers), from their early twenties to their fifties, came together.
(read more below the video)
What happened that weekend was magical. It went far beyond beauty, far beyond laughter, far beyond hips all dancing to the beat, far beyond eating and catching up together. None of these women will ever be quite the same after this weekend. Everything was put on the table: traumas they didn't even know they had, joy too, intense joy and a deep sense of the need to come together, share and purvey self-love from the natural connection with each other.
Based on audio, video and photographic material from this special stay, Dalilla Hermans wrote her(e). Abigail Abraham is on stage. Not a monologue, but a dialogue. Between black women. Between black women and the white gaze on them.
"As we heard a black woman say as we left the room, 'I didn't participate, but it was my life on stage"Filip Tielens - De Standaard ***

credits
concept, text, scenography & direction
Dalilla Hermansdramaturgy and co-creation
Carolina Maciel de Françaco-dramaturgy
Stefan Bläske , Eline Banken , Kaatje De Geestlight design
Frank Haesevoetsdance coach
Briana Ashley Stuartmusical director
Willem Blontrockphotography, videography and audiovisual direction
Harmony Benegusengaproduction management
Sebastiaan Peeters, Elli De Meyertechnical production management
Oliver Houttekietsound technique
Bart Meeusenvideo technique
Predrag Momcilovicsurtitling
Eline Banken , Kaatje De Geest , Lesley Van Dammeset realisation
Flup Beys , Pierre Keulemans , Joris Soenenplay and co-creation
Abigail Abrahamsinging
Coely Mbueno, Prisca Agnes Nishimwe, Judith Okonillustration
Manoe Adusei-Owusuthis production was realized with the support of
The Belgian Tax Shelterthanks to
Manoe Adusei-Owusu (=Sunkwa), Lisa Akinyi May, Emma-Lee Amponsah, Ann-Sophie Chioma Opara (=ANSO), Aïcha Cissé, Heleen Debeuckelaere, Aminata Demba , Renaldi Diombo, Noonah Eze (= dj Black Mamba), Inès Eshun, Vanessa Gaudy (=dj Vaneeshua), Melat Gebeyaw Nigussie, Sabrine Ingabire, Hannah-Kenyatah Opong, Rébecca Louis, Lisette Ma Neza, Kiangana Maputshi, Nefera Mavambu, Coely Mbueno, Marie Niasse, Reine Nkiambote, Soe Nsuki, Stella Nyanchama, Dominique Nzeyimana, Lindah Nyirenda, Judith Okon, Martha da Rossa Canga Antonio (=Martha Da'ro), Colette Umuhoza, Aparecida Vi Baijot- 6 Feb 20 — De Standaard: Zwart zijn staat gegraveerd in de genen *** (recensie Her(e))
- 6 Feb 20 — De Morgen: Dalilla Hermans raakt een gevoelige snaar in her(e) *** (Recensie Her(e))
- 4 Feb 20 — VRT NWS: Her(e) gisteren in Het Journaal Laat (vanaf 12: 43)
- 3 Feb 20 — De Standaard: Het theater bekent eindelijk kleur (onder andere over "Her(e)" en andere theatervoorstellingen waar het steeds meer gaat over culturele diversiteit, racisme en dekolonisering)