Jan Lauwers - Needcompany

As a child of the seventies and radical innovator of the eighties, Jan Lauwers is always intensely involved in questioning the theatre as an art form. In his latest production 'The Art of Entertainment', and in collaboration with the Burgtheater in Vienna, he once again examines this medium. What is the status of theatre in a society that has in its deepest soul become a spectacle? In a world where reality and authenticity are presented as television formats? 'The Art of Entertainment' is a black comedy about a famous actor who decides to end his life. His memory, the seat of his soul and most important tool, is gradually fading. He is invited to participate in a very popular reality show, 'The Art of Entertainment'. In this cookery programme a renowned French cook will prepare the actor's last meal after which he will commit suicide. However, he becomes involved in a discussion with a number of colourful characters. What follows are the existential discussions of an intellectual class that has lost its way. Their conversation is regularly interrupted by moments of true slapstick. Lauwers gets the theatre machine turning at full speed. About to explode!