Jan Fabre - Troubleyn

What does Jan Fabre mean when he says 'anyone who delivers a monologue must be an athlete of the emotions'? The answer comes from Dirk Roofthooft in 'De koning van het plagiaat' (The King of Plagiarism). This is the second monologue in a diptych, following 'De keizer van het verlies' (The Emperor of Loss). It questions artistry and the concepts of authenticity and originality associated with it. This is one of the central themes in Jan Fabre's work. Another thread that runs through his oeuvre is the body in all its forms, possibilities and mutations. One also encounters this in 'De koning van het plagiaat'. We meet an angel in the guise of a surgeon. On stage we see him dissect the brains of Einstein, Wittgenstein, Gertrude Stein and Frankenstein, live. As a surgeon he is seeking what makes them unique. As an angel who is perfect in every way, he envies people for their imperfection. Once again Dirk Roofthooft is dazzling in this humorous monologue that brims with philosophical reflections.