LIEFDE/AMOUR
The End of Love
Love usually begins as a dream: a rosy state of enchantment that gives you wings and paralyzes you at the same time, where all you want is to entwine your soul with another’s while the rest of the world fades away. But Love/Amour does not focus on the magic of falling in love. The performance tells a different story — that of the end of love.
The small banalities, initially invisible, gradually become unbearable. But how and when do you decide to let go? Do you dare to say goodbye to comfort, memories, and everything that once meant so much, and embark on a new path?
Love/Amour is inspired by L’amour est très surestimé (2007), the short story collection by French-Algerian author Brigitte Giraud. In eleven sharp and moving stories, she captures the moment when love shifts: the realization that desire has disappeared, that routine has replaced passion, and the enchantment has been broken.
These stories form the foundation for this performance. The texts are brought to life by five talented women, each of whom, in their own way, make the end of love palpable.
"Although things are changing, the voices of women — and more specifically women of African descent — remain the least heard. This is true on every level, but it seems even more pronounced when it comes to love. The clichés, such as the image of the ‘angry Black woman,’ are deeply ingrained in our Western societies. But anger or hysteria are not traits specific to women, let alone to ‘Black’ women. By bringing this story to the stage with actresses of African descent, I see it as a kind of experiment. It is a way to explore how these words and emotions can be reclaimed by them. As with all my projects, I am here more to learn from people than to impose a vision.”
– Pitcho Womba Konga
Discover the Liefde/Amour Spotify Playlist
Mario - Franco
Mario (1985) is a song by the Congolese musician Franco and his band TPOK Jazz. The lyrics in Lingala tell the story of Mario, a gigolo who takes advantage of an older woman supporting him financially. The song became a hit and was awarded a gold record after selling more than 200,000 copies. A true Congolese rumba classic.
Lelo makambo lobi makambo nalembi
Lelo bitumba lobi koswana nabaye
Naboyi kobebisa nzoto na manzaka nalembi eh
Mario nalembi e e
Mario nabaye e e
Mario nalembi e e
Mario nabaye e e
Ba produits ngai napakolaka
nzoto ekoma sembe sembe
Okobeta ngai na zoka
lobi na zwa maladie ya cancer
Lobi tango nakopola
yo okimi ngai eh
Yo obetela ngai zua tata
Yo obetela ngai zua tata
Mario nalembi e e
Mario nabaye e e
Mario nalembi e e
Mario nabaye e e
(EN)
Today problems, tomorrow more problems, I’ve had enough.
Today arguments, tomorrow trouble with you.
I don’t want to destroy my body with all this pain, I’m tired, eh.
Mario, I’m tired, eh eh.
Mario, I’m leaving, eh eh.
Mario, I’m tired, eh eh.
Mario, I’m leaving, eh eh.
All those products I applied to my skin have made it weak.
You hit me and hurt me,
tomorrow I might get cancer.
And if I completely break down,
you’ll just abandon me, eh.
You hit me as if I’m your enemy.
You hit me as if I’m your enemy.
Mario, I’m tired, eh eh.
Mario, I’m leaving, eh eh.
Mario, I’m tired, eh eh.
Mario, I’m leaving, eh eh.
Discover the team
Inspiration
In the studio with: Pitcho Womba Konga
Credits
TEXT BRIGITTE GIRAUD ADAPTATION & DIRECTION PITCHO WOMBA KONGA & DINA DOOREMAN PERFORMANCE, MUSIC AND LYRICS LISETTE MA NEZA, MARIE DAULNE, CLARICE MALAMBA (NSANGU), ROKIA BAMBA, CARO ABUTOH MOVEMENT DIRECTION MOYA MICHAEL COSTUME DESIGN CAROLINE FAINKE SCENOGRAPHY LENA MARIËN DRAMATURGY DINA DOOREMAN & JUNIOR AKWETY COACHING CATHERINE RANS LIGHT DESIGN MICHAËL JANSSENS SOUND TECHNICIAN NOE DERVAUX PRODUCTION MANAGER LISE BRUYNSEELS STAGE MANAGER LIEVEN SYMAEYS SURTITLING INGE FLORE PRODUCTION KVS COPRODUCTION CENTRAL LA LOUVIÈRE, PERPODIUM WITH THE SUPPORT OF TAX SHELTER VAN DE BELGISCHE FEDERALE OVERHEID VIA CRONOS INVEST
