The Trash Takes the Stage

Have you ever wondered how your garbage feels after you’ve thrown it out? In the Dutch theatre play "De Volle Vuilkar," it is finally the garbage's turn to shine again and talk trash about the people who threw them away. "De Volle Vuilkar" challenges traditional notions of theatre by rejecting human actors in favor of garbage trucks and rubbish, a bold choice that pays off in spades. The garbage truck itself becomes the star of the show, and the use of multimedia elements helps to create a dreamlike atmosphere that is both mesmerizing and thought-provoking.

Written by Belgian actor and writer Josse De Pauw and directed by Guy Cassiers, "De Volle Vuilkar" has received critical acclaim for its innovative use of multimedia and imaginative approach to storytelling. It's worth noting that an actual garbage truck was rebuilt into a small theatre space where the garbage resides, and mechanics are used in conjunction with lighting and special effects to bring the garbage to life. Through clever lighting and projection design, the trash on stage takes on a life of its own, moving and shifting in unexpected ways and becoming a character in its own right.

Upon entering the garbage truck, the audience is met with a lane of garbage in black and white colors. A discarded burger begins reminiscing about the good old days when it was still fresh, and soon, the rest of the garbage joins in. An old toy plane takes its final flight, a broken jacket zips itself up one more time, and a smashed radio plays its last song. As the audience witnesses these poignant moments, they can't help but reflect on the objects they've thrown away in the past and feel a sense of empathy for the garbage. In "De Volle Vuilkar," the garbage isn't just a pile of rubbish, it's a star in its own right. The waste takes on a personality as it moves and interacts with the world around it. The play's surrealist imagery and poetic language further enhance the garbage's character, turning it into a symbol of contemporary humans' throwaway culture and a reminder of the importance of environmental consciousness.

"De Volle Vuilkar" is a visually stunning and intellectually engaging production that challenges traditional notions of theatre, showing that even the most inanimate objects can turn into a vessel for theatre. It's proof that even the most inanimate objects can become a vehicle for theatre, and that sometimes, one person's trash really can be another person's treasure. If you're looking for a play that will challenge your expectations and push the boundaries of what is possible on stage, "De Volle Vuilkar" is not to be missed.