The big end-of-term play is approaching. Tobias is somewhat anxious, but with Mees Kees at the helm, everything should be just fine. The class looks forward to rehearsing in the afternoons and to making beautiful scenery - until they find out that Principal Dreus has chosen a terribly boring medieval play. Moreover, it is to be staged in a dusty room within a nearby retirement home. But Mees Kees wouldn't be Mees Kees if he didn't put his own twist on things...
Symptoms of influenza mean the last days in the life of the Austrian painter Egon Schiele (1890-1918) seem to be played out beyond the confines of a set time and space. His stylised portraits come to live and edge him further towards death. Choreographer Stuart has transformed his images into a transparent movement language that by turns follows and ignores the music by Alexander von Zemlinsky. The rawly expressive and confrontational imagery reflects the powerful effect of Schiele’s drawings and paintings.
The sun is shining, but it is not a cheerful day. Eight-year-old Linus sees it all happen. Mummy comes home with her nasty new friend to take away her stuff. Papa is sulking in the garden, while the neighbour peeps over the hedge. Even a pizza is no fun anymore. For a very short while, the familiar feeling of yesteryear is accidentally back, and then it is over. Big tragedy, captured in small details.
