Grec 2015: En avant, marche! ('Forward, march!')

Director: Frank Van Laecke, Alain Platel. Dramaturgy: Koen Haagdorens. Actors: Chris Thys, Griet Debacker, Hendrik Lebon, Wim Opbrouck, Gregory Van Seghbroeck (tuba), Jan D’Haene (trumpet), Jonas Van Hoeydonck (trumpet), Lies Vandeburie (flugelhorn), Niels Van Heertum (euphonium), Simon Van Hueting (horn), Witse Lemmens (percussion), and the Barcelona Municipal Band.

Bands, orchestras and musical associations have a long history in Barcelona and Catalonia. The same is also true of the Belgian city of Gant, where, in 2012, a local musician created an exhibition on the subject entitled 'En avant, marche!' ('Forward, march!'). This show in turn provided inspiration for theatre directors Frank Van Laecke and Alain Platel, who decided to create a performance about this world with the collaboration of composer Steven Prengels. The three men have produced a stage show that looks at a diverse group with a common aim: to maintain a single rhythm. Isn't that the perfect metaphor for our societies? Four actors and seven musicians, plus the Barcelona Municipal Band, bring this innovative production to life in which the participants exchange roles, acting and playing different instruments, sometimes the one that the audience might least expect.