Matzer brings SMART - an unguarded moment that changes everything

A day like any other. Simply, on the road.

To work. To home. You know the drill.

You know the road, the car, it's quiet.

No oncoming traffic, virtually no side roads...

You relax behind your dashboard.

One of those days, then, like all kinds of others.

Until that message, that moment... that changes everything.

For her and for him

and above all:

forever.

 SMART is a performance by MATZER Theatre Productions about distracted driving, written by Peter de Graef and performed by Gürkan Küçüksentürk. The show, directed by Madeleine Matzer, will premiere at the Verkadefabriek in Den Bosch on 11 and 12 March. Afterwards, the performance will be played for employees of, among others, construction company Heijmans, which is the main sponsor.   

 In a sharp and poignant, but also humorous text, writer Peter De Graef highlights the perspective of a very ordinary person. Someone like you and me, who in an unguarded moment causes the worst. SMART is a performance about and for all of us. Necessary, because with each of us an accident can be in a small corner.

Yannick Foundation

In March 2016, 21-year-old Yannick Frijns died after she was hit by a motorist who, according to the public prosecutor, had been distracted by using her smartphone. After her senseless death, her parents founded the Yannick Foundation: an organisation active in raising awareness, prevention and laws and regulations around the risks of smartphone use in traffic. Their story and initiative prompted the creation of the performance SMART.

The impact of theatre
MATZER believes in theatre in the middle of society. By working together with companies, governments, traffic (safety) organisations and other institutions, we create connections and reach new audiences. The performance is therefore frequently performed - on location or in the theatre - for organisations such as Heijmans, BOVAG and Volvo.

Each performance is followed by an after-party discussion, in this case on (the consequences) of distraction in traffic, with the aim of raising awareness and gaining new insights, hopefully leading to different behaviour. The myth of multitasking, our dependence on the smartphone and approachability are topics that are bound to come up in these talks.

"Theatre really gets into your heart, allowing employees to identify with the person sharing a poignant story with them. We want to see if we can trigger something in people that makes them make different choices. That way, we can take the next step in developing our safety culture."

Heleen Herbert, commercial director Heijmans

IN SHORT:
SMART

Text: Peter de Graef (with thanks to Koen Frijns)
Directed by Madeleine Matzer
game: Gürkan Küçüksentürk

Verkadefabriek 

Thursday 10 March 20.15 (try-out)
Friday 11 March and Saturday 12 March, 8.15pm (premiere weekend)

Good to know

More information, performance dates and bookings: matzer.org