20 Feb

20:30

Theater Bellevue

Leidsekade 90, Amsterdam

A theater performance inspired by the Greek myth of Tiresias, who lived as both a man and a woman. This play explores trans-identity, transformation, and the fluidity of the world.

Tiresias

More info & tickets

A Myth for Modern Times

Roeland Fernhout and Thorn De Vries both step into the skin of a Mythical Greek Seer. Tiresias is born as the son of the nymph Chariclo. In a forest, he invokes the wrath of Athena, who changes him from a man into a woman.

After years of living as a woman, he returns to the forest and changes back into a man. An old man this time. When Zeus and Hera have a marital dispute, the two gods summon Tiresias to serve as a referee in their conflict. Hera is not pleased with Tiresias's judgment and takes away his sight. As compensation, the now-blind Tiresias is given the gift of 'sight'—the ability to see the future.

Inspired by Holding On by Kae Tempest, the creators use this ancient myth to create a performance about Trans-identity, focusing on the transformation of people and a world in constant motion.

Based on a new text by Thorn De Vries, Tiresias is a performance where past and present, transformation and stagnation, mythical and ordinary, blend together like a watercolor painting. The creators pull the myth of Tiresias from 500 BC and place it in the here and now. In doing so, Thorn and Roeland make two points: Trans-identity is as old as the world, and whether we like it or not, trans-identity also exists now, despite how some in public discourse try to deny it. And just as the seers in ancient Greece loved to do, this message is not delivered directly but is wrapped in an intriguing riddle.

As the ancient Greeks said: 'Panta Rei, Oeden Menei.' Everything flows, nothing remains...

About the Makers

Roeland Fernhout became known to the general public in 1995 for his role in the feature film Zusje. He worked for over 16 years at Toneelgroep Amsterdam and has also acted with other companies and in the independent sector.

Thorn de Vries studied at the Amsterdam Theatre School and Kleinkunstacademie and has performed in productions such as ANNE+, Flikken Maastricht, and Onopgelost. Their work is characterized by a strong degree of vulnerability and connection.

Credits

Text: Thorn de Vries
Dramaturgy: Vera Bonder
Sound Design: Roeland Fernhout
Lighting Design: Dennis Van Scheppingen
Choreography: Natalie Haelermans
Co-director: Valerie Bischeroux
Performance: Roeland Fernhout & Thorn de Vries