A cat has nine lives.
They have more.
And during their final life, they found each other in a safe ghetto.
If you sneak your way in, you can see them clawing, growling and hissing.
And when the ghetto is demolished, all lives seem to have been used up.
The trip to nothingness is crushing.
Because even skin has a memor.

Inspired by the penetrating film “Yo soy asi”, in which the closing of a transvestite cabaret in Barcelona affords us a glimpse into the private lives of a memorable group of old artists, actress Vanessa Van Durme collected a number of transsexual and transvestite friends in order to win over directors Alain Platel and Frank Van Laecke and composer Steven Prengels for a project that can be called unique in every respect.

Because Gardenia is not a work of fiction. Gardenia is a singular account, the most intimate of tales.

Gardenia goes deep into the turbulent lives of nine striking people. Seven older individuals who seemingly effortlessly navigate the twilight zone between being male and being female. In contrast and harmony with a “young guy” and a “real woman”. Each on a quest. Each with their own intriguing story.

Sometimes funny, sometimes overwhelming. Sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious. Each with a trunk full of longing. Often lost or out of reach. Sometimes endearing. Mostly unusual. In their minds the sounds of the past. In their eyes doubts about tomorrow, but also a healthy dose of hope.

Nine individuals so special you will want to get to know them.
Want to embrace them.
What binds them are the marks scored deep on their souls.
What drives them is the unimaginable will to survive.
In the hope they will succeed. Through transformation. Or not.
In the knowledge that the price is incredibly high.

directors: Alain Platel, Frank Van Laecke
based on a concept of Vanessa Van Durme
created and performed by Vanessa Van Durme, Griet Debacker, Timur Magomedgadzhiev, Andrea De Laet, Richard ‘Tootsie’ Dierick, Danilo Povolo, Gerrit Becker, Dirk Van Vaerenbergh, Rudy Suwyns
music: Steven Prengels
light design: Kurt Lefevre
sound design: Sam Serruys
set design: Paul Gallis
costume design: Marie ‘costume’ Lauwers
costume advice: Yan Tax
stage manager: Wim Van de Cappelle
photography: Luk Monsaert
costumes realised by atelier Anette De Wilde, atelier NTGent led by An De Mol, Mieke Van der Cruyssen, Sul Hee Mys, Helena Verheyen
coiffures: Claudine Grinwis Plaat Stultjes
set realised by: scenography atelier NT Gent
production management: Valerie Desmet
tour management: Merel Vercoutere, Emilie De Roos
set transport : Luc Laroy
production: les ballets C de la B / Alain Platel & Frank Van Laecke
coproduction: NTGent, La rose des vents (Villeneuve d’Ascq), TorinoDanza, Biennale de la danse de Lyon, Tanz im August (Berlin), Théâtre National de Chaillot (Paris), Brighton festival, Centro Cultural Vila Flor Guimarães, La Bâtie-Festival de Genève, Festival d’Avignon

The performance at Teatro Verdi of Florence within Fabbrica Europa 2011 is a collaboration among:
Fondazione Fabbrica Europa, Fondazione Pontedera Teatro, Fondazione Orchestra Regionale Toscana