Het Zuidelijk Toneel presents Reigen re-Erected – A modern relay of love and lust
The creation of Reigen re-Erected began with a question: how can we playfully highlight the mysterious and vulnerable aspects of lust and love in our time? Following the success of Mission Molière and Crashtest Ibsen (2023), Het Zuidelijk Toneel aimed to create something special once again, something that would entertain and provoke thought. Thus, Reigen re-Erected was born, a modern and whimsical reinterpretation of Arthur Schnitzler’s Reigen.
A new take on old themes
When director Sarah Moeremans and writer Joachim Robbrecht decided to bring Schnitzler’s work into the present, their goal was clear: to explore the complexity of love and lust in our time. Schnitzler’s original work depicts the sexual morality of the late 19th century, but Moeremans and Robbrecht wanted to investigate how these themes translate to today. By presenting a relay of scenes featuring various forms of relationships— from Tinder dates to long-term marriages, and from webcam girls to asexuals— they sought to create a broader understanding of love and desire.
The development of Reigen re-Erected
The process was not without its challenges. Artistic director and director Sarah Moeremans explains: “How do you create a performance that is both witty and vulnerable, that does not shy away from taboos while remaining accessible? The final moments of intimacy in one’s life can be filled with joy but are also fragile and poignant. Intimacy in later life is an area that is not often discussed. We theatrically explored and fantasized about this, requiring a delicate balance. We delved into the complexity of this position. What if you fall head over heels in love with someone only to discover they are your sibling? This is how the scenes, full of play and such situations, intertwine.”
Green production
Het Zuidelijk Toneel also faced another challenge: “For the revival of the production, several new choices were made regarding sustainability and green production. Transportation has been optimized, and creative artistic solutions have been developed to reduce the use of certain materials during the performance, such as fake blood—a product with a high environmental impact.”
Playfulness as a bridge to vulnerability
Louis van der Waal, one of our actors, received an Arlecchino nomination (best male supporting role) for his role in this performance. “This is no surprise to us,” says Moeremans. “Louis has the unique ability to convey a wide range of emotions with just a single glance. The audience laughs but simultaneously feels an uncomfortable recognition—a combination that makes Reigen re-Erected so special.”
This piece does more than entertain: it invites the audience to reflect on who we are in our most intimate moments. It uncovers the subtle tensions and contradictions within us all. It is theater that challenges you to look deeper, to re-examine yourself and your relationships, with playfulness as the key to deeper insights.
