ATMEN

In ATMEN (evolution is silently unfolding), Nicole Beutler and her team welcome you into a possible future: we are in the year 2200. Beneath the collapsed burden of the self-defeating hunger for power of the humans, the planet is finally breathing again. Overgrown by nature the theater hall is now a ruin wherein flora, fauna, bacteria and luminescent fungi thrive. The red plush of the theatre chairs has become part of this living ecosystem. 

Under the moonlight, a wolf howls and six human/hybrids move from the shadows, dancers and singers. As part of the breathing biotope they are entangled with long forgotten radio waves, rustling leaves and electronic music compositions by our house composer Gary Shepherd, intersected with remnants of songs by romantic composer Franz Schubert. Visual artist Heleen Blanken develops three-dimensional projections overgrowing the theater with a nature that is resilient.

Deep in these damp, vibrating, cavernous depths, at the bottom of a post-apocalyptic reality, the wild promise of an unimaginable future gradually takes shape. The audience is invited to become part of this ecosystem for some time.

Presented and supported by the arts & culture programme of the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) and by Internationaal Theatre Amsterdam (ITA).

Premiere: 18 October 2023 Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA)
Performance: 19 October 2023 Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA)
Tour of Dutch theatres: January - May 2024 (see calendar)

RITUALS OF TRANSFORMATION (towards a new humanity)

ATMEN / evolution is silently unfolding is the second part of the trilogy RITUALS OF TRANSFORMATION.

GINKGO or: 56 million years ago there were palm trees on the North Pole, was a farewell to the world as it is made by humans. In ATMEN / evolution is silently unfolding, Beutler and her team let nature catch its breath back and invite the audience into a future biotope where humans dwell in the shadows. The third part of the trilogy, NOW WE ARE EARTH / An Orchestra (April 2025, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen) attempts a new balance between humans, earth, animals, fungi and technology.

With this trilogy Beutler wants to touch the audience by offering new perspectives, by looking beyond doom scenarios for the future of humanity in search of new, unexpected connections, a paradigm shift generating potential for hope and with that pathways for change.

Listen to introductory-podcast here 

Persoonlijke responsen

''Ik jullie graag feliciteren met ATMEN, onder de indruk van de scenografie, muziek, de performers (echt) en het contextprogramma. Mooi. Blij dat we zijn afgezakt tot in Amsterdam!'' - Lotte S.

''Wat een indrukwekkend schouwspel gisteren, ik zal nooit meer de grote zaal in ITA binnenlopen zonder aan jullie fantastische ( Julian HP 👌) vormgeving 2200 te denken'' - Magne V. 

''Waaaaaw Nicole Justa Gary en crew AMAZING echt FANTASTISCH. Gefeliciteerd met deze prachtige, intense, symbiotische en urgente voorstelling. Ik ben reuze trots dat ik er een sterntje aan heb bijgedragen. Pffff wat een trip!!!'' - Roosje K.

''Wat was het adembenemend gisteren! De balans die je hebt gevonden tussen zang en dans en vormgeving was fantastisch gisteren. Ik vond het echt een mooie meditatieve ervaring.'' - Marieke P. 

''Jeetje ik vond het wel een spectaculaire kadans zeg. Ik kom me er wel goed aan overgeven. Aan het begin moet je er even aan wennen, juist omdat de spelers niet centraal zijn opgesteld maar als bosje mensen wezens in de randen bewegen. Dat is zo tegen je gevoel. Overal ademritme.'' - Marloes M. 

''Everything about it was astonishing. Sets, costumes, soundscape, projections, movement and voice. I hope you are happy with it!'' - Barbara K. 

''Thank you so much ! It was a delightful evening, congratulations with the new work, I loved the speeches, documentary, amazing decor in the Schouwburg and also in the performance area, it was grandiose!! I also thought the costume designers/ thinkers were fantastic! The performance was also really good! Well done!  - Djahan P.