Marieke&Sophia - De Vader

Between domestic drama and explosive performance

The Father is the new production by artist duo Marieke&Sophia, inspired by August Strindberg’s living-room drama of the same name (1887). Together with Rodrigo Batista and Mina Marechal, they rework this dated, sexist piece into a confrontational performance. What if Strindberg’s worldview is less outdated than we might think?

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In the original plot, a father spirals into an existential crisis when his wife plants doubt about his paternity. Who is he without power over his own flesh and blood? The patriarch loses control, and ultimately perishes. 

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Starting from Strindberg’s fear of becoming obsolete, the makers challenge the classical ideal of manhood and search for more fluid forms of (male) authority. The meaning of the male body shifts: from punishing and disciplining to vulnerable, porous, and an object of desire. Father becomes daddy. 

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The Father is a physical performance about victimhood, masculinity, and power. Blending performance, singing, and text, the makers attempt to grasp the patriarchal scripts that continue to shape the present day.

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Marieke Schraepen and Sophia Bauer are an artistic duo who met during their drama studies at KASK in Ghent. Together, they have created high-profile productions such as Guilty of Love and Motherbaby, in which they explore social themes like sexual violence and motherhood. In addition to their collaborative projects, both are individually active as performers, makers, and teachers within the wider arts field.