The Mass Man
Audiovisual spectacle that mercilessly holds up a mirror to you
Muziektheater Transparant & Zefiro Torna (BE)
Multimedia spectacle The Mass Man measures the temperature of our overheated world with a timeless story about what connects us and what divides us; about ‘us’ and ‘them’. The show, with contemporary adaptations of troubadour songs from the Middle Ages, is based on Nobel laureate Elias Canetti’s book Mass and Power. After the hedonistic I era, is mass man back?
Director Wouter Van Looy and video artist Wim Catrysse join forces with writer and poet Peter Verhelst and Jurgen De bruyn of Zefiro Torna. They paint a picture of a time when rulers mobilised masses to conquer a promised city. The Mass Man puts its finger on the sore spot – and presses.
“How does the masses affect us? Impressive overall experience with punishing images and brilliant music leaves a lasting impression. Timo Tembuyser and Els Mondelaers together with ensemble Zefiro Torna in top form!” – Guy Coolen, artistic director O.
Concept, direction: Wouter Van Looy, concept video: Wim Catrysse, text: Elias Canetti, Peter Verhelst, Mahmoud Darwish, scenography: Wim Catrysse, Peter Quasters, dramaturgical advice: Tobias Kokkelmans, costumes: Ruby Renteurs, lighting design: Peter Quasters, music concept: Jurgen De Bruyn, ensemble: Zefiro Torna: Simon Segers (drums & tromba marina), Jochem Baelus (music installation & perfomer), Jon Birdsong (trumpet & cornetto), Jurgen De Bruyn (lute, saz, electronics & voice), vocals: Timo Tembuyser, Els Mondelaers, sound engineering, soundscape, synts, electronics, voice: Jo Thielemans.