Theatre
19.9.-21.9.2025
Jahrhunderthalle Bochum

A wordless multimedia stage production about the impossibility of representing war.

Inspired by Picasso’s painting Guernica, theatre collective FC Bergman, Silver Lion winners at the Venice Biennale 2023, created a daring exploration of how we watch war. From raw footage to art and film, media shapes our perception, yet the spectacle confronts the impossibility of truly representing war. Do images bring us closer to reality, or alienate us? The stage becomes a war zone – part theatre, part living artwork – framed by two opposing grandstands. The innovative theatre piece Guernica Guernica works exclusively with images, music, and mass scenes. The production focuses on the threefold roles of victim, perpetrator, and ultimate the spectators. FC Bergman higlights the absurdity of war representation and critiques the commercialization of war imagery as well as societal paralysis in the face of conflict.

Produced by FC Bergman, Toneelhuis and private producer Dirk Raes in co-production with Ruhrtriennale and Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg.

Cast

  • By and with
    • FC Bergman (Stef Aerts, Joé Agemans, Thomas Verstraeten, Marie Vinck) ,
    • et al. ,
    • plus 80 Extras
  • Sound Design
    • Maarten Van Cauwenberghe
  • Dramaturgy
    • Koen Tachelet
  • Costume Design
    • An D'Huys
  • Light Design
    • Bart Van Merode

Visit

  • Language

    without language

  • Age guidance

    Recommended from 16 years

  • Introduction

    An introduction will take place in the upper foyer of the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum 45 minutes before the start of each event.

  • Notices

    The consequences of war and violence are addressed and portrayed in the event. We provide you with hearing protection free of charge on site.

  • Audio description and haptic tour

Directions and arrival

Jahrhunderthalle Bochum
An der Jahrhunderthalle 1
44793 Bochum

  • Public transport and KombiTicket
  • Directions
  • Travelling by bike
  • Accessibility at the venue

  • Access
  • Access aids
  • Accessible parking
  • Accessible toilets
  • Hearing support
  • Festival team on site
  • Dates and Tickets
    September
    Fri 19.9.2025
    8 p.m. Theatre Jahrhunderthalle Bochum
    Sun 21.9.2025