“Through the brilliant weaving of music and words, this masterpiece intertwines the destinies of four generations of women. Amid social pretenses and the failure of language itself, it brings their vulnerabilities and strengths into plain sight. In the midst of this diabolical pace of disguise and ruse, escapes and ambushes, where each aria and line of the score winks at both tradition and modernity on multiple layers (and not without humor), there is, in fact, no space left.

No space to breathe, to move, to express one’s truth.

I believe the struggles of these women—when they collide with the desires of others, power dynamics at play, and the very necessity of their own protection—do not feel distant from us. What part of this fable would fall short or still stand when facing the imagination and dreams of a girl from our time?

To figure this out, I propose to follow the story of Suzanne’s wedding through the eyes of a young girl, adding a fifth generation to connect us to our legacies. What have we learned about the institution of marriage? This is the question mark I wish to draw on stage, leaving it open for the audience to ponder. Because sometimes, falling suddenly silent and leaving things “in the open” is the first step toward being heard.”

Jorinde Keesmaat, Stage Director