Louis Janssens' Family and Pip Greenaway's Family of None Confront the Nuclear Family on Stage
Two theatrical pieces delve into the complexities of the nuclear family, each presenting differing emotional landscapes. "Family" by Louis Janssens showcases five actors recounting authentic coming-out experiences, shedding light on uncomfortable familial interactions. Janssens fosters an environment where isolated queer sentiments can be expressed, leading to a gradual acceptance among the cast. Conversely, Pip Greenaway's "Family of None" utilizes found passport images to create a fictional family, focusing on humor and questionable truths about its members. This installation, featuring a kitschy sofa and framed photos, reflects shared traumas across generations. Both performances, experienced within a span of four days, serve as valuable tools for navigating personal growth. "Family of None" is on display until 31 October at the Depot of the Boijmans van Beuningen.
Key facts
- Louis Janssens' Family features five performers who enter the stage one by one with coming-out stories
- The stories in Family are not purely fiction, and each actor's playing is idiosyncratic rather than homogeneous
- Janssens performs in Family himself and creates a theatrical safe space for isolated feelings of queer people within the nuclear family
- Family ends with the performers finding each other and tentatively forming a new family, finding acceptance and comfort
- Pip Greenaway assembled a fictional family from found photo-booth passport photos of resembling individuals and cast similar performers
- Family of None uses a clearly fictional and humorous character, reinforced by a kitsch installation with a green velours sofa set, ceiling fan and photo frames
- The author saw both works within four days and calls them the two most effective coping mechanisms for growing pains
- Family of None is on view until 31 October in the Depot of the Boijmans van Beuningen
Entities
Artists
- Louis Janssens
- Pip Greenaway
- Maurits de Bruijn
- Sofie Knijff
Institutions
- Mister Motley
- Boijmans van Beuningen
- Depot Boijmans van Beuningen
- Dinamo
Locations
- Netherlands
- Nederland