12, 13, 14.11
De Vader
Marieke&Sophia
De Vader is the new production by artist duo Marieke & Sophia, inspired by August Strindberg’s living-room drama of the same name (1887). Together with Rodrigo Batista and Mina Marechal, they rework this dated, sexist piece into a confrontational performance. What if Strindberg’s worldview is less outdated than we might think?
In the original plot, a father spirals into an existential crisis when his wife plants doubt about his paternity. Who is he without power over his own flesh and blood? The patriarch loses control, and ultimately perishes.
Starting from Strindberg’s fear of becoming obsolete, the makers challenge the classical ideal of manhood and search for more fluid forms of (male) authority. The meaning of the male body shifts: from punishing and disciplining to vulnerable, porous, and an object of desire. Father becomes daddy.
De Vader is a physical performance about victimhood, masculinity, and power. Blending performance, singing, and text, the makers attempt to grasp the patriarchal scripts that continue to shape the present day.
Marieke Schraepen and Sophia Bauer are an artistic duo who met while studying drama at KASK. Together, they have created thought-provoking productions such as Guilty of Love and Motherbaby, exploring social issues including sexual violence and motherhood. Alongside their joint projects, both work independently as performers, creators and educators across the arts.
concept Marieke&Sophia performance Marieke Schraepen, Rodrigo Batista, Sophia Bauer, Mina Marechal dramaturgy Bauke Lievens final direction Geert Belpaeme light design Jan Maertens sound Bert Toulet costumes Alexandra Panou outside eye Jonas Baeke production KWP Kunstenwerkplaats coproduction Monty, BUDA, workspacebrussels with support of De Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie with thanks to CAMPO, KVS, CC De steiger & Willem de Wolf & Anna Franziska Jäger