Burning City centres on unrest and change. The performance shows how big and small news events touch our daily lives. From tensions in the street to political upheaval, from racism to the climate crisis: everything hits close to home. And that raises questions. How do you deal with fear, anger, and uncertainty? Do you stand your ground, run away, or take action?
cops block your way
fight flight freeze
bomb in your street
fight flight freeze
parents tearing each other’s hair out
fight flight freeze
climate crisis at home
fight flight freeze
make America Racist Again
fight flight freeze
far right wins the election
fight flight freeze
Akosua, Kwabena, Li Wei, Olga, Ahmed move into your street
fight flight freeze
China becomes the new world leader
fight flight freeze
AI pulls the strings
fight flight freeze
dark street, someone shouts, someone whistles
fight flight freeze
For some people, life flows easily. But not for us. How do we find our way out of this unrest? Simple: put thirteen artists on a stage with a diverse range of talents and backgrounds. Let them together rise above all the shit and conquer the chaos. Then go out and change the world.
“Burning City is more than a theatre performance, it’s an activist celebration” — De Standaard
Language
During the performance, French, English, and Dutch are spoken. Surtitles are an integral part of the scenography. Burning City is an experience in which music is as central as text.
SHIFT
This performance is part of SHIFT: the label for unpolished performing arts. Expect raw, poetic, personal performances. No glitter, no façades. Shows you simply must see, by young and established makers engaging with current events and the future. You come to SHIFT because you want to know what’s going on: in your head, in the world, in others, in yourself, in the big picture and in the small. For curious thinkers and critical dreamers. SHIFT is an initiative of Explore the North and Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie.
SHIFT season 2026/2027 is made possible in part through financial support from Fonds 21.