Behind Closed Doors is a powerful mosaic narrative that pulls back the curtain on the invisible world of domestic violence. How does violence infiltrate your life so gradually that you lose track of what’s normal? And how do you find the strength to escape?
Behind Closed Doors is a performance about the (mostly) invisible world of dominance and oppression, exploitation, psychological and physical violence that takes place out of sight. The performance also explores the strength of those who bear it and the resilience that keeps them going.
Behind Closed Doors is based on true stories that have been turned into fiction and offers a powerful insight into this complex world. The performance is a co-production with Laaktheater and Fossekleiva Kulturhus and is performed by Urmie Plein, Alexander Brouwer, and Cat Smits.
A Unique Narrative Form with Puppetry
Cat Smits Company uses the poetic power of puppetry to capture contemporary issues in a dynamic and layered narrative that places the audience right in the heart of the theme.
Through a unique blend of puppetry and dynamic storytelling, the performers weave multiple perspectives—partner, child, neighbor, social worker—capturing the complex, multi-layered reality of living with violence.
In this way, a complete picture of the issue is created, because: No one willingly enters a violent relationship, the boundary of what is acceptable shifts every day, until fear and pain become the new normal.
A Collective Artwork
The set and costumes are created in collaboration with Mijn Buuf, an organization dedicated to reaching vulnerable groups through sewing lessons. The experiences of these individuals form part of the stories in Behind Closed Doors. By incorporating patchwork and layers into the clothing and set design, these hidden stories are given an artistic and symbolic place in the performance. This makes Behind Closed Doors a collective artwork that portrays and brings together community, vulnerability, and strength.
Stay after the show for an intimate conversation with experts who’ve lived the experience or worked in the field, offering insight and creating space for dialogue and healing.
