Urland

Before the Story Starts is an experimental one man theatre performance that takes place in the liminal moment before a (or THE) story begins. Inspired by The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, Being John Malkovich and Alan Watts, master storyteller Thomas Dudkiewicz travels through the subconscious of the universe, in pursuit of answers.This story that is not yet a story has a surreal structure filled with cryptic hosts, erratic guides, and philosophical dead-ends.,As he meets his alter ego(s) he unravels the story of why, why is it that he tells stories? How is meaning built? And what happens when we confront the terrifying possibility that there may never be a final answer?

script, concept & performance: Thomas Dudkiewicz | coach: Noami Velissariou | spatial design: Marijn Alexander de Jong | sound design: Tomas Loos | costume design: Rebekka Wörmann | creative technologist: Hendrik Walther | technician: Denzo (André Goos) technical producer: Jaap Schledorn | production manager: Elise de Fooij | marketing & communication: Pien Visser | business management: Martha van Meegen and Marijn Bellaard | business assistant: Denise de Hoog | campaign image: photography by Philine van den Hul and graphic design by Ruben Verkuylen | production: URLAND

Made possible by Gemeente Rotterdam, Fonds Podiumkunsten and Cultuurloket DigitAll.