08.05.24 – 09.05.24, Planet Winter, master's project by Bavo Buys and Malique Fye

“It seems likely that they were an experiment. The thought is unpleasant, but the possibility cannot be ignored. What is very hard for us to understand is that these people are neither man nor woman, neither and both, cyclic, lunar, metamorphosing under the hand’s touch, changelings in the human cradle. They are not neuters. They are potentials or integrals.

Therefore on Winter there is no unconsenting sex, nor rape and for seemingly similar reasons these people have never had what one might call a war. In the end, I believe, the dominant factor in their life is not sex or any other human thing: it

“It seems likely that they were an experiment. The thought is unpleasant, but the possibility cannot be ignored. What is very hard for us to understand is that these people are neither man nor woman, neither and both, cyclic, lunar, metamorphosing under the hand’s touch, changelings in the human cradle. They are not neuters. They are potentials or integrals.

Therefore on Winter there is no unconsenting sex, nor rape and for seemingly similar reasons these people have never had what one might call a war. In the end, I believe, the dominant factor in their life is not sex or any other human thing: it is cold. Here man has a crueler enemy than even themselves. Someone else will have to think this theory out, though. But, I really don’t see how anyone would be willing to think of victory or defeat after they spent a winter on Winter, and seen the face of the Ice.”

• (Day 81 from field notes of Ong T. Oppong, Investigator of the first landing party on Winter

Planet Winter is the graduation performance by Bavo Buys & Malique Fye, in collaboration with Martha Balthazar and Matilde Casier. Starting from the science fiction classic The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) by Ursula K. Le Guin, they build a story as big as the world it takes place in.

Planet Winter is not a prophecy, but a thought experiment. What if a respected politician has to go on the run with an alien figure and together they have to cross 1,300 km of ice? What if a trek is not an adventure? What if the universe fits in a carry-on bag, and the carry-on bag in your left hand?

Three players move onto the ice and imagine a future. A future that will never happen and has never taken place, except very briefly on stage.

Credits:

• inspiration: The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) van Ursula K. Le Guin
• concept & execution: Bavo Buys, Malique Fye, Martha Balthazar & Matilde Casier
• play: Bavo Buys, Malique Fye & Matilde Casier
• dramaturgy: Martha Balthazar
• costumes: Lena Mariën
• music: Bully Fae Collins
• translation: Bavo Buys
• productional assistance: Alicia Andries
• mentors: Jan Steen, Bosse Provoost, Ezra Veldhuis, Wannes Gyselinck & Frederik Le Roy
• special thanks: Gouvernement, CAMPO, KASK DRAMA, Bardia Mohammed, Valerie Desmet & Lander Govaerts
• poster: Malique Fye
• supported by: deAuteurs & HOGENT