DNA - Eine Familiensaga

The work of the Swiss ensemble Klara (founded in 1991) is a cross between theatre and performance. Image and physicality play an important role in the method of the director Christoph Frick. Consequently the group’s work is closely associated with so-called performance theatre, which has recently started to catch on in Belgium with artists and groups such as Kris Verdonck, Marijs Boulogne and Abattoir Fermé.

DNA – Eine Familiensaga oscillates between a family soap and a biology lesson, and historical facts and fiction. The thread is the story of the O’Flatterys, whose wanderings are followed throughout the twentieth century, from Ireland to Africa by way of New York, to Portugal and finally to Switzerland. Seven actors and a series of puppets present us with a family epic as well as a story of scientific discoveries such as DNA, artificial insemination, cloning, etc. At the same time a Wurlitzer jukebox presents us with a history of music ranging from swing to rock.

In 2003, for Snack Bar Tragedy, Klara entered into a co-production arrangement with Victoria (Ghent). DNA – Eine Familiensaga is the company’s first major production in Belgium. Although the original version was in German, audiences in Brussels will see an ‘international version’ which incorporates a variety of languages.