The cast of East West home is best started rehearsals yesterday in a cheerful atmosphere, with Spanish snacks and drinks. In the summer comedy Carry Goossens and Danni Heylen squabble as a married couple about their holiday destination: sunbathing in Spain or a staycation in their own country. “The comedic chemistry between the two has been legendary since FC the champions”, Realizes author and director Jeroen Maes.
Recognizable
So that should spark again in the Fakkeltheater, where the duo already spent the summer two years ago, then with a performance about the Sinksenfoor. “The performances by producer Het Achterland are well-written comedies, with a local color from Antwerp. The Hoogstraat should not be inferior to a touristic street in Portugal”, Carry Goossens sees as the reason for the success. “Our couple is also so recognizable again. Writer Jeroen is an actor himself and you can feel it. We get the chance to bend a role to our liking”, adds Danni Heylen.
The duo with writer Jeroen Maes (right). — © Jan Van der Perre
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Lots of fun for the audience, but the actors enjoy it at least as much. “If we’re not having fun, we shouldn’t be doing it. I only commit to well-written performances, with nice people I trust,” admits Danni readily.
End in beauty
Despite that fun playing, Carry’s courage gradually sinks in. “I want to enjoy my job, for which I dropped everything all my life. But the theater landscape is currently a disaster. The Stadsschouwburg is being demolished and Toneelhuis is in danger of losing its subsidies. What the hell will be left in Antwerp in ten years’ time? I am considering quitting next year. I’m lucky and I’m still in demand. But it’s better to finish in beauty”, Carry surprises.
–Home actress Lynn Van den Broeck kicks off the rehearsal process with a snack and a drink. — © Jan Van der Perre
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“I will continue and play a piece postponed by corona next year. There are a lot of travel shows, so I have to see if that’s not too bad,” adds Danni. Both actors see a lack of respect and that too starts to weigh. “You know I still get the question what I do for work during the day”, sighs Danni. “We are in difficult times”, Carry also knows. “Of Captain Zeppos I made such a beautiful film but after 20,000 visitors it was already over.”
Tipping point
“If Antwerp wants to profile itself as a theater city, a different mentality has to be introduced,” says Carry. “It is the non-subsidised theatres, such as Elckerlyc and Fakkeltheater, that keep everything running. We’re at a tipping point, so I’m looking to the city and higher government for more respect, especially comedy.”
Despite the dark clouds, there is this summer for East West home is best not a speck in the air yet. In the comedy, the duo is joined by Bart Van Avermaert, Lynn Van Den Broeck and Ann De Winne. “As a late bloomer, I was at drama school at the same time as Bart. Of course I’m looking forward to being back on stage together for the first time!”, Carry beams.
East West home is bestfrom 1 July in the Fakkeltheater, www.hetachterland.be
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