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Theatre

[meeuw]

[seagull]

Toneelhuis, Olympique Dramatique, theater arsenaal

“What we need are new artistic forms. And if we don’t get new forms, then we would be better off with nothing at all. ” – Konstantin Gavrilovich Treplev, in Chekhov’s The Seagull
Olympique Dramatique’s production [meeuw] is the first time that a repertory play has been translated and performed in its entirety in Flemish Sign Language by a mixed cast of deaf and hearing actors. 

The starting point is De Meeuw (The Seagull) by Anton Chekhov, one of the greatest and tenderest plays in the world repertoire: a classic from 1896 about young people wanting to explore new ideas and an older generation that feels threatened by this. A narrative about the longing for the past and the longing for a free life, told from the perspective of three different generations. Love and desire as the devastating driving force during a family reunion. A comedy in four acts, as the Russian playwright himself called it. 

 [meeuw] above all aims at being an encounter with the Flemish deaf community, a collaboration of artists with different backgrounds: professional actors and amateur performers whose mother tongue is Flemish Sign Language. A theatrical encounter between artists from the same community, living close together and yet separated by a language barrier.

“I’ve gone past your house so many times, but I couldn’t bring myself to come in. Come, let’s sit down.” – Nina Mikhailovna Zarechnaya 

This project was made possible thanks to the support of players from the National Lottery and the King Baudouin Foundation. This performance was realised in collaboration with KU Leuven, Faculty of Arts - Antwerp, and the Flemish Sign Language Group of the Applied Linguistics programme.

after

  • De Meeuw van Tsjechov

director

  • Stijn Van Opstal

adaptation

  • Stijn Van Opstal
  • Scarlet Tummers
  • Tom Dewispelaere
  • Francis Geeraert
  • (met dank aan Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer)

translation into Flemish Sign Language

  • Diane Boonen
  • Sam Verstraete
  • Hilde Verhelst
  • e.a.

performance

  • Yousra Boukantar
  • Sofie Decleir
  • Tom Dewispelaere
  • Lobke Leirens
  • Lut Reysen
  • Willy Thomas
  • Serge Vlerick
  • Yana Wuytjens

dramaturgy

  • Scarlet Tummers

set

  • Damiaan De Schrijver
  • Stijn Van Opstal

light design

  • Frank Hardy

costume design

  • Monique Van Hassel

production

  • Toneelhuis
  • Olympique Dramatique

coproduction

  • theater arsenaal

with the support of

  • Silence Radio
  • Doof Vlaanderen
  • doof&events
  • Vlaams GebarentaalCentrum (VGTC)
  • KU Leuven Campus Antwerpen (Toegepaste Taalkunde)
  • Nationale Loterij
  • Literatuur Vlaanderen
  • Koning Boudewijnstichting
  • Tax Shelter maatregel v/d Belgische federale overheid via LOOK@LEO

All data

  1. Thursday 14 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen Premiere
  2. Saturday 16 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  3. Sunday 17 November 2024 — 15h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  4. Tuesday 19 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  5. Wednesday 20 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  6. Thursday 21 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  7. Friday 22 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  8. Saturday 23 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  9. Tuesday 26 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  10. Wednesday 27 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  11. Thursday 28 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  12. Friday 29 November 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  13. Saturday 30 November 2024 — 15h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  14. Tuesday 3 December 2024 — 20h15 — Warande/Kuub, Turnhout
  15. Friday 13 December 2024 — 20h15 — theater arsenaal, Mechelen
  16. Saturday 14 December 2024 — 20h15 — theater arsenaal, Mechelen
  17. Friday 20 December 2024 — 20h30 — KVS - BOX, Brussel
  18. Saturday 21 December 2024 — 20h30 — KVS - BOX, Brussel
  19. Wednesday 8 January 2025 — 19h00 — NTGent/Minnemeers, Gent
  20. Thursday 9 January 2025 — 19h00 — NTGent/Minnemeers, Gent
  21. Saturday 11 January 2025 — 20h00 — CC De Plomblom, Ninove
  22. Tuesday 14 January 2025 — 19h30 — 30CC/Schouwburg, Leuven
  23. Wednesday 15 January 2025 — 15h00 — 30CC/Schouwburg, Leuven
  24. Friday 17 January 2025 — 19h30 — HNT/Theater aan het Spui, Den Haag
  25. Wednesday 22 January 2025 — 19h30 — C-mine/Kleine zaal, Genk
  26. Sunday 26 January 2025 — 19h00 — ITA/Rabozaal, Amsterdam
  27. Wednesday 29 January 2025 — 20h00 — CC Brugge/Magdalenazaal, Sint-Andries

News about ‘[meeuw]’

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