ALKIBIADES
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Sat 24 Apr '2720:30Philipszaal
Rank 1 Normal € 31,- CJP € 28,50
In a far-reaching adaptation of Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer’s monumental novel, Zuidpool presents the story of Alkibiades. None other than acclaimed actress Sofie Decleir portrays Greece’s most controversial politician, who is unable to choose between his boundless self-love and the common good of his people.
At the same time, he holds up a confrontational mirror to us. Are the people themselves capable of knowing what is good for them? And how important do we still consider the truth to be, when probability is more desirable?
A gripping story set in a world where the democratic contract we have made with one another is in constant danger of being broken. A glimpse into a system that is reaching its limits, yet for which there seems to be no better alternative.
- With free introduction before the performance at 19:45h
Media coverage of ALKIBIADES
“A skillfully and soberly staged character study and a compelling deconstruction of power and democracy” ( De Volkskrant ★★★★)
“A meticulous analysis of these complex times, without resorting to clichés” (De Standaard ★★★★)
“Credit where credit is due: this production—and Decleir’s performance in it—is definitely worth talking about.” (Nieuwsblad)
"Alkibiades is a brilliant performance that brings the ambiguity of man to the play in text and image."
About Zuidpool
Since 2005, Koen van Kaam and Jorgen Cassier [musical direction and performance] have formed the artistic core of Zuidpool. Their work is praised for its monumental minimalism and its innovative and radical approach to text, language, and musicality. For ALKIBIADES, van Kaam adapted Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer’s novel of the same name into a contemporary theater production bearing the Zuidpool stamp. Following *Long Day’s Journey into Night*, this is his latest production for the main play.
Sofie Decleir has appeared in countless Zuidpool productions, including *Long Day’s Journey into Night* and *De aanzegster*, as well as with companies and theaters such as Olympique Dramatique, Toneelhuis, Antigone, and KVS. She has also appeared in films and series such as *Julie zwijgt*, *WIL*, *De twaalf*, and *How To Kill Your Sister*.
Mona Lahousse graduated in 2024 with a degree in “ af ” from the acting program at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp and spent a year on exchange at the Maastricht Theater Academy. Her graduation production, *AGE OF PANIC*, was selected for Theater Aan Zee’s Jong Werk program. She appeared in *Huis van Troje* by the Toneelschuur and ITA, and in *BRO’S* by Dimitri Leue.
Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer is a classicist, poet, and the author of contemporary classics such as *La Superba*, *Letters from Genoa*, and *Grand Hotel Europa*. In 2020, he wrote the script for the successful theater production *De aanzegster* for Zuidpool. Alkibiades is his most ambitious novel and was awarded the Boon Literature Prize. In his latest book, Absolute Democracy, he turns his attention to the current decline of (democratic) values.
Credits
Adapted and directed by Koen van Kaam . Cast: Sofie Decleir, Mona Lahousse; Musical direction and performance by Jorgen Cassier; Costume design by Thomas van Imschoot and Sam de Mol; Dramaturgy by Lore Meesters; Lighting design by Mark van Denesse; Sound design and engineering by Daniël Stevens; Video manipulation by Jan Snoekx