After the success of Billy's Violence, the desire to continue this intense tale was so strong amongst the artistic team, cast and crew that it has led to a sequel: Billy’s Joy. Once again, Victor Lauwers turns his hand to reworking Shakespeare’s plays. This time he sets to work with the comedies, with Jan Lauwers directing and music by Maarten Seghers. This once again promises to be a radical performance which seeks out the contemporary notion of joy.

For Billy's Violence, Victor Afung Lauwers researched the ten tragedies of Shakespeare and rewrote them into violently loving, intimate dialogues in which the woman is the central focus, stripped of any historical reference or anecdotal content.

Songs of Disconnection is a next step in Seghers’ research into the potentially tragic relationship between entertainer and spectator. This resides in the irresistible urge to share and connect and the essential impossibility of doing so.

All the good tells a story about loss and hope. A love story at a time in which Europe is sacrificing its values and a large group of people are succumbing to hate and incomprehension.

Haunted by the night and inspired both by her ancestors and the Javanese theatre of shadows wayang, Grace Ellen Barkey, who was born in Surabaya, Indonesia, enters into a dialogue with the obscure and searches for forms of re-imagination in her installative performance MALAM / NIGHT.

News
6 March 2023
Billy's Violence in Antwerp

On Saturday 18 March (8pm) and Sunday 19 March (3pm), Billy's Violence, Needcompany's lauded show, will finally be performed at the Bourlaschouwburg in Antwerp after successful passages in Bruges, Ghent, Brussels and all over Europe.

De Morgen (****), De Standaard (****), Knack (****), El País (****), Les Inrocks and many other international press had nothing but praise for the radical adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedies by writer Victor Afung Lauwers, composer Maarten Seghers and director Jan Lauwers. Don't miss it and buy your tickets now!

30 November 2022
We're hiring!

In the period '23 - '27 Needcompany is resolutely commited to writing a new story. To this end, we are looking for a technical production manager to strengthen the team and help realise the planned generational transition.

Is art your passion and do you want to be very closely involved in producing the artistic work? Are you ambitious, flexible, polyvalent and want to put your shoulders under a new chapter of our international theatre company? Then send your cover letter and CV to jobs@needcompany.org before 8 January 2023. Click for more information!

29 April 2022
Thank you!

The many distraught reactions to the news that Needcompany's existence is under threat are heartening. Touching letters from the most important organizations worldwide reach us daily. We are defending ourselves firmly and believe that we can counter this.

But we need your help to do so. The more responses we get, the better. For those of you who would still like to support us, please write us a short email - via info@needcompany.org - as an expression of support. You really don't have to be an important organization to do that. Straight from the heart, that is what is needed. After all, we are only here for you.

23 December 2021
Music of Billy's Violence available online

In July 2021, Billy's Violence, a radical adaptation of the tragedies of Shakespeare by Victor Afung Lauwers, directed by Jan Lauwers, premiered at Festival Grec in Barcelona. Maarten Seghers composed the original music which gives the performance extra layers, resonance and intensity.

From now on, the music is available on all major streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer etc) and digital shops. A physical release on vinyl was already released in July. The limited, carefully crafted release is available via Needcompany's Bandcamp. Those who would like to buy the digital release can also visit our Bandcamp.

Tour dates

May 2023
11 MayMolly Bloom (Chili) Teatro Finis Terrae (Santiago de Chile CL)
13 MayMolly Bloom (Chili) Teatro Finis Terrae (Santiago de Chile CL)
14 MayMolly Bloom (Chili) Teatro Finis Terrae (Santiago de Chile CL)
18 MayMolly Bloom (Chili) Teatro Finis Terrae (Santiago de Chile CL)
19 MayMolly Bloom (Chili) Teatro Finis Terrae (Santiago de Chile CL)
20 MayMolly Bloom (Chili) Teatro Finis Terrae (Santiago de Chile CL)
June 2023
14 JunBilly's ViolenceILT-Festival (Aarhus DK)
July 2023
11 JulBilly's JoyImPulsTanz (Vienna AT)
13 JulBilly's JoyImPulsTanz (Vienna AT)
14 JulBilly's JoyImPulsTanz (Vienna AT)
Tour dates

May 2023
11 MayMolly Bloom (Chili)
 Santiago de Chile CL   Teatro Finis Terrae
13 MayMolly Bloom (Chili)
 Santiago de Chile CL   Teatro Finis Terrae
14 MayMolly Bloom (Chili)
 Santiago de Chile CL   Teatro Finis Terrae
18 MayMolly Bloom (Chili)
 Santiago de Chile CL   Teatro Finis Terrae
19 MayMolly Bloom (Chili)
 Santiago de Chile CL   Teatro Finis Terrae
20 MayMolly Bloom (Chili)
 Santiago de Chile CL   Teatro Finis Terrae
June 2023
14 JunBilly's Violence
 Aarhus DK  ILT-Festival
July 2023
11 JulBilly's Joy
 Vienna AT  ImPulsTanz
13 JulBilly's Joy
 Vienna AT  ImPulsTanz
14 JulBilly's Joy
 Vienna AT  ImPulsTanz
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