Conversations (at the end of the world)

What to do when the end is in sight?

Five figures stand in an empty theatre space, accompanied only by the time they have left. Together, they form a portrait of humanity in the insane twentieth century, awaiting the inevitable catastrophe. Wars, simmering conflicts, terrorism, ecological disasters… an ever-greater number of possible endings present themselves. Despite the shock, they continue to talk, perform, and play music. Beyond all efforts and hope – but with a robust sense of nonsense – they live in a state where a great many new possibilities emerge.

The oeuvre of Russian author Daniil Charms inspired the script, supplemented with work by contemporaries, crazy prophets and philosophers, and tweets from warzones. This piece is performed by star actors José Kuijpers, Johan Leysen, Jan Steen, Jeroen Van der Ven, accompanied by pianist Marino Formenti.

• Between the visual arts and theatre, between installation and performance, between dance and architecture, the work of playwright and director Kris Verdonck looks for beauty in catastrophe. As an artist-in-residence at Kaaitheater (2013-2016), he presented productions such as H, an incident (also with texts by Charms), Untitled and IN VOID.