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 - Buket Soydar en Leila Ben Atitallah
Producer – Barbara Reijs
Production and direction assistents Tunesia - Chekra Rammeh, Yentl de Lange
Financial director –Judith Huizing
Trailer and registration - Thomas Brand | Brandkracht
May 15 2026: Fidena Internationales Figurentheaterfestival, Bochum, Germany
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) February 4 2026: Carthage Puppetry Arts Days, Tunis, Tunisia February 5 2026: Carthage Puppetry Arts Days, Tunis, Tunisia
"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)
