#uncut
The experiences of the composer herself – Renske Vrolijk – forms the starting point for this semi-autobiographical music theater performance. She invited Het Nederlands Kamerkoor, which she has admired since her childhood, to share this story with the world. A story that starts with the human voice.
Renske’s musical language is irresistible and unruly, and is performed by two of the hippest ensembles in the Low Countries: the roaring ORBI (The Oscillating Revenge of the Background Instruments) and saxophone quartet BL!NDMAN [sax]. The Dutch Chamber Choir (Nederlands Kamerkoor) sings and plays the family, the judging and condemning masses, the thrill-seekers, and the team of doctors in a performance that is controversial from the start.
Renske Vrolijk: idea and composition
Annechien Koerselman: concept and libretto
Wendela de Vos: libretto
SMITH, Lise Bruyneel: visuals
Nederlands Kamerkoor
BL!NDMAN [sax]
Pieter Pellens
Hendrik Pellens
Piet Rebel
Sebastiaan Cooman
ORBI, the Oscillating Revenge of the Background Instruments
This project is made possible with the support of Fonds Podiumkunsten, Fonds 21 and VSB Fonds.
Agenda
The story
Vivian used to be trapped in a boy’s body. This is her story. uncut. And yes, that is the question she is asked the most.The confrontational and poetic performance #uncut tells the story of Vivian, trans woman or just woman. Who can tell? She looks back on a transition that was not only courageous, but also raises new questions. After a lengthy process of psychological research and medical interventions, she is now who she wanted to be.However… What to do with her past? What to do with the old photos? Who was she then, and who is she now? ‘You’re happy now, aren’t you?’, she hears that all too often. But is she? In a collage of flashbacks set against the here and now, Vivian rumbles through the emotional rollercoaster of the before and after of her decision, which was not a decision. Couldn’t be a decision. Because it was as it was as it is as it should be.