P006 — Genesis, Locke & Marinus
2023–2024- 420 × 594
- 148 × 210 mm
Nestled in the heart of Ghent, Belgium, Compagnie Cecilia breathes life into the city’s theatre scene with its captivating in-house productions. From original tales to cinematic adaptations, their stage becomes a canvas for storytelling. When tasked with distilling the essence of three of their productions into posters and flyers, I dove head first into their rich narrative tapestry.
Genesis, their most ambitious project to date, unfolds within a colossal apartment complex. With a record-breaking cast of 14, this production blurs the lines between construction and demolition, arrival and departure. It’s a metaphorical dance of empires rising and falling, all contained within the confines of this enigmatic building. The story weaves together the lives of its inhabitants, who simultaneously party and bicker, come and go, in a surreal timeline where new residents prepare to move in before the foundations are even poured. This ambitious piece serves as a powerful allegory for the cyclical nature of civilisations, inviting audiences to reflect on the rise and fall of empires, or even entire continents.
Locke brings Steven Knight’s gripping film to the stage, centring on a single, life-altering car journey. We witness Ivan Locke’s carefully crafted world unravel through a series of phone calls; the intimacy of the solitary set amplified by stirring live music. It’s a masterclass in tension, played out in real time. The entire play unfolds with Ivan in his car, while incoming callers appear to the side, creating an immersive experience that captures the intensity of the unfolding situation. This innovative staging, combined with the emotional depth of the story, transforms a simple car ride into a riveting exploration of conscience, responsibility, and the fragility of one’s personal and professional life.
Sailing back to 17th century Ostend, Marinus adapts Jan Van Dorp’s Flamand des vagues. This daring tale follows the transformation of young Marinus into a feared privateer captain, set against the backdrop of Belgium’s pirate-infested coast. While fiction, it’s anchored in historical fact, charting the perilous waters of family, loyalty, and adventure. The narrative spans generations, beginning with Marinus witnessing his father’s demise, his subsequent upbringing by two privateers, and his eventual rise to become a ruthless and respected captain. The story then shifts to Marinus’s own three sons, who set sail under the banner of the East and West Indies national chartered trading company, adding layers of complexity to this multigenerational saga of the sea.
For each production, I sought to capture the core themes and atmosphere in visually arresting designs. The posters beckon viewers into these theatrical realms, whilst the flyers expand upon the visual narrative, offering production details on their reverse. Embracing RISO printing allowed me to harness vivid colours and introduce a textural depth that resonates with the theatrical experience. Through this project, I’ve woven together visual storytelling and promotional art, creating a suite of materials that honours the power of theatre and entices audiences to step into these captivating worlds.