In an age when nobody really understands how our systems work anymore, and some might even trade human rights for a tablet or a subscription to Flair, we are increasingly guided by gossip, perception and gut instinct. Never before has there been such a cacophony of information: everyone’s a journalist. Is this the end of journalism?
In the production Testament van een Journalist, Action Zoo Humain invites the audience to a last supper to celebrate the end of journalism. At the head of the table sits the beloved, feared and reviled host and journalist Hugo Camps. As a symbol of an entire generation of journalists, he bids farewell and opens his will. One last time, he looks back and shares his prophecies with his followers, his betrayers and the silent crowd.
Take a seat at the table, drink the wine, break the bread and partake of it. Speak your mind and let come what may. Amen.
This production was created based on interviews conducted by director Chokri Ben Chikha and dramaturg Sietske de Vries with Hugo Camps and Walter Van Steenbrugge.
Press
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De Morgen (Belgium)
04.08.2021‘Yes, I’m putting an old white man in the spotlight, and no, not everyone will be happy about it. But we need to understand our history.’ In the performance Testament of a Journalist, theatre maker Chokri Ben Chikha explores the present and the past through the lens of journalistic icon Hugo Camps.Read more -
Knack (België)
23.06.2021"For years, theatre maker Chokri Ben Chikha has been fascinated by the journalistic icon Hugo Camps. That fascination will soon culminate in Testament van een journalist, a production about his life and work. “I have accepted the decadence of my time. I am not proud of it. But I am not ashamed of it either”. The powerful acting, the beautiful music and the text with its many layers are more than enough to leave a lasting impression."Read more -
Etcetera (Belgium)
30.07.2021"Biographical theatre comes in all shapes and sizes. But rarely has anything been staged as ingenious as Testament van een journalist, an apology by and for Hugo Camps: are we witnessing a vulnerable tribute, a vain self-portrait, or perhaps a full-blown reckoning? We are witnessing the culmination of Chokri Ben Chikha’s years-long quest for the perfect blend of fiction and reality. (...) Theatre at its very best."Read more -
De Standaard (Belgium)
23.07.2021"In this fascinating biographical piece about Hugo Camps, we bid farewell to a generation."Read more -
Knack Focus (Belgium)
27.07.2021"Director Chokri Ben Chikha uses Camps’s legacy to do more than simply criticise journalists who are too self-centred and obsessed with likes. He also criticises the performing arts sector itself."Read more
Credits
- Cast
- Bert Luppes in de rol van Hugo Camps, Luiz Marquez, Manou Selhorst en Maxime Waladi / Armin Mola
- Director
- Chokri Ben Chikha
- Text
- Hugo Camps, Erik-Ward Geerlings
- Dramaturgy
- Sietske de Vries
- Choreography
- Laura Neyskens
- Scenography
- Luc Goedertier
- Costume
- Marij De Brabandere
- Music
- Maxime Lenssens, Luiz Marquez
- Technical coordination
- Arthur De Vuyst
- Video
- Messervideo
- Images
- Kurt Van der Elst
- Production
- Action Zoo Humain
- Co-production
- Perpodium
- In collaboration with
- NTGent
- With the support of
- the Belgian Federal Government’s Tax Shelter via Cronos Invest
- Special thanks to
- Historische Huizen Gent, Danspunt, CC Westrand, Futurn (bedrijvenpark Westgate), Van Steenbrugge Advocaten, Stef Ampe, Sirine Jendoubi, Oya Latifa
Gallery
