Perzen. Triomf van Empathie
Kurt Van der ElstPerzen. Triopf van Empathie is a unique theater production directed by Chokri Ben Chikha. In this performance, he explores with six performers how they can show more understanding and empathy in a conflict that has lasted for decades: the conflict between Israel and Palestine. They do this by examining one of the oldest plays in history, The Persians by the Greek playwright Aeschylus.
This play is about a war between the Greeks and the Persians, in which the writer himself fought against the Persians. The central question is: Did Aeschylus have empathy and understanding for his enemy, or did he primarily want to demonstrate how superior the Greeks were? By posing these questions, the performers seek connections between this ancient story and the current genocide in the Middle East.
(read more below the quote)
"A deliberate punch in the stomach (...) Theatre cannot stop the killing but it does have the power to look the other person in the eye as a human being in the midst of the chaos"De Standaard (BE) ****
The performance, based on interviews conducted by Ben Chikha in January 2024 in Israel and Palestine, combines words, dance, and music into a vibrant and poignant whole. Perzen. Triomf van Empathie thus balances between art and reality, opportunism and empathy.
credits
with & by
Hellen Boyko, Liah Frank, Marah Haj Hussein, Mareille Labohm, Leblalta Abdennacer (Iskara_Alonzo), Sofiane El Boukhariconcept, direction & choreography
Chokri Ben Chikhadramaturgy
Sietske de Vriestext
Erik-Ward Geerlings with the perfomersmovement coach
Izah Hankammer, Daisy Phillipsfilm (camera & edit)
Jan Beddegenoodtsvideo
Wim Piqueurmusic
Jo Thilemanslight design
Dennis Dielsset design
Karolien De Scheppercostume design
Chloé Wasselin-Dandreproduction manager
Irina Leskovskayatechnical production management
Patrick Martensstagemanagement
Bennert Vancottemtechnique
Geert De Rodder , Jo Thielemans, Wim Piqueursurtitles
Liesbeth Standaertproduction assistant
Clara Françoisproject team
Irina Leskovskaya, Leen Van Welden (project management), Maarten Degezelle (public relations), Loubna Boukaroua, Oya Ben Chikha (communication), Jo De Visscher (costume studio coordination), Joris Soenen (decoration studio coordination), Carl Vermeersch (artistic planning)set, props and costumes
NTGentproduction
NTGent, Action Zoo Humaincoproduction
Theater Rotterdamwith the support of
The Belgian Tax Shelterspecial thanks to
Ludo De Brabander , Esmeralda Schütz, Eitan Bronstein Aparicio, Ludo Abicht, Isabelle Grynberg, Charles-Daniel Schreiber, Zouzou Ben Chikha, Jawad Musleh, Angela Godfrey, Robi Damelin, Roni Zeidan, Dani Brodsky, Moshe Zimmermann, Yael Ayalon, Amer Badan, Freddy Rokem, Munther Isaac, Rashed Khudairy, An Verelst, Sophie Samyn
- 26 Jun 24 — De Standaard **** - "Een riskante maar noodzakelijke dans van empathie" - (recensie)
- 12 Feb 24 — De Morgen (BE) - "Als je samenleving gebaseerd is op wraak, verlaag je je als mens" (Perzen, Chokri Ben Chikha en Action Zoo Humain, van 20 tot 22 juni in NTGent)
- 18 Jan 24 — De Morgen (BE) - "Op de planken is de oudheid actuelere dan ooit" - (over Elektra, Medea, Perzen én ALL GREEKS)
