Vis-a-Vis(a) is about the Dutch Koen who meets his friend Saber during his trip to Tunisia. The friendship between Koen and Saber is special. They are both puppeteers! They dream of making a performance together. Koen also wants to perform the performance in the Netherlands. This is a great opportunity, but will Saber be able to survive the ruthless visa procedure and come to Europe?
Vis-a-Vis(a) is a performance about friendship, connection, hope and dreams. The performance visualizes how a border full of bureaucracy and paperwork stands in the way of equality between two friends from different cultures and with different passports. The two friends have to face a painful truth: the world does not open the same doors for them.
Vis-a-Vis(a) is a fictional story based on true events and fieldwork by researcher Yentl de Lange. Yentl de Lange is currently doing PhD research on the Tunisian visa procedure and developed the concept for this performance. The performance takes a critical look at the complexity of visa procedures, while drawing a sharp contrast with the ease with which European passport holders can travel around the world.
Vis-a-Vis(a) is an international coproduction between Cat Smits Company and Centre National d’Art de la Marionnette in Tunisia.
Vis-a-Vis(a) is part of the talent development program for young puppeteers by Cat Smits Company and of the NEW PUPPETS on the BLOCK program in collaboration with Duda Paiva Company.
Direction – Cat Smits Concept, research – Yentl de Lange Performance - Christiaan Koetsier, Fedy Kahlaoui, Firas Mosbahi Voice over - Bas Sligting Puppets – Firas Mosbahi, Mohamed Kmira Script – Cat Smits Contributions to the text - Ahmed Maddouri, Fedy Kahlaoui, Firas Mosbahi, Mohamed Kmira, Yentl de Lange Set and light design – Jan Sol Dramaturgy – Maja Hertoghs Choreography – Cat Smits, Ahmed Maddouri Music - Ilyes Blagui Poster design – Studio Matusiak PR and Marketing - Jamie Zwart en Leila Ben Atitallah Producer – Barbara Reijs Production assistent Tunesia - Chekra Rammeh Financial director – Ephraim Productions Trailer and registration - Thomas Brand | Brandkracht
March 6 2025: Théâtre des jeunes créateurs, Tunis, Tunisia March 7 2025: Théâtre des jeunes créateurs, Tunis, Tunisia March 8 2025: Théâtre des jeunes créateurs, Tunis, Tunisia March 25 2025: Plein Theater Amsterdam (try-out) March 26 2025: Plein Theater Amsterdam (premiere) March 28 2025: Het Nationale Theater Zaal 3 Den Haag March 31 2025: Roode Bioscoop Amsterdam (private performance)
"The play “Vis_À_Vis(a) is not just a work of art, but a resounding cry against the injustice suffered by young Tunisians in their quest to achieve their dreams. Through Saber’s story, the play succeeds in exposing the harsh face of visa procedures, and calls for a reconsideration of these policies that deprive individuals of their basic right to movement. In a world that speaks of globalisation and freedom of movement, such works of art remain a powerful reminder that the road to justice and equality is still long." (www.alchourouk.com) "This play will continue to spark the debate on visa policies and human rights in movement." (www.alchourouk.com)
