The Common People

The Common People is a composition of first encounters, a social experiment, workshop, installation and performance in one. The stage is reclaimed as a space for encounter between human and human in the most literal sense.

The Common People wants to disconnect people from the screens surrounding us, to create physical encounters in a thorough and human way. Together with film director Lukas Dhont and an artistic team, Martens will work with 48 inhabitants of the city where the performance will take place. In two weeks time the participants are prepared for the performance days on which they will have an encounter with somebody they will meet for the very first time, resulting in an ongoing duet marathon on stage. The Common People becomes the portrait of a city, of its inhabitants, and of the human kind, searching for intimacy and encounter. A performance that celebrates the narration of daily life, built on a deep interest in the human species.

credits

By Jan Martens and Lukas Dhont
With 40 inhabitants of the city
Artistic team: Yanna Soentjens, Joris van Oosterwijk, Steven Michel, Kimmy Ligtvoet, Laura Vanborm, Sebastiaan Eggermont, Brian Windelinckx, Rudi Meulemans and Louis Richard
Light design: Jan Fedinger
Technical supervision: Michel Spang
Production: GRIP
Co-production: tanzhaus nrw, SPRING performing arts festival, ICKamsterdam (in frame of Nieuwe Makers Regeling), Wiener Festwochen and CDCN Le Gymnase
With the support of CAMPO, STUK, deSingel international arts campus, vaba lava & r.a.a.a.m. & mousonturm and wpZimmer
With the financial support of the Flemish Government, Performing Arts Fund NL and the city of Antwerp