Leeuwarden-based performance poet and theatre maker Mees van Rijswijk can be seen across the country during the travelling theatre festival De Parade

Performance poet, theatre maker and gentle activist Mees van Rijswijk is making his debut at the De Parade Theatre Festival this summer, in collaboration with Explore the North, with his show AAAARGH. It is a musical spoken-word performance about a jarring, futile quest for anger. Although Mees is also known for his spoken word performances, his role in the HYPERPOËZIE collective (formerly Drie Dagen Fris) and his work with groups such as Mensen Zeggen Dingen, the performance at De Parade will be a first introduction to him for many. Explore the North is a production company and festival, as well as a home for writers, poets and other young creators in the heart of Leeuwarden. 

A harrowing quest for anger

As a ‘soft activist’, Mees van Rijswijk decides to stop denying his own anger. He asks angry people for advice: partly to learn from them, and partly to discover whether there is something in their anger that connects them. Perhaps world peace begins in a mosh pit, or in the clash of a knuckle and a jaw. AAAARGH is a musical, poetic performance about a jarring quest for anger. It is not a guide, not therapy, not a safe space. It is not even a word. AAAARGH is a radical attempt to remain gentle, precisely by finally setting obedience aside.

About Mees van Rijswijk

Mees van Rijswijk (1999) is a performance poet, theatre maker and gentle activist from Leeuwarden. He takes the human condition with a pinch of salt and prefers to describe things exactly as they are, using as few syllables as possible. Mees has won several awards for his spoken word pieces, travels all over the country for performances and enjoys solving Sudoku puzzles whilst on the move.

Parade Rotterdam – Thursday 25 June, 7.45 pm (premiere)

See here the fixture list. 

Mees will also be performing at the Explore the North Festival in November, amongst other events, and will be giving a preview on Oerol on 21 June.

About Explore the North

Explore the North is a production company and festival, as well as a home for writers, poets and other young creators in the heart of Leeuwarden: programmes are presented at Podium Explore all year round. Stories in unusual forms, told by a new generation of creators. We bring literature to the stage in many venues both at home and abroad. In November, everything reaches its climax during the vibrant festival month, when local creators share the stage with international pioneers.