"I want the audience to feel what the migrant feels." Les Nouveaux Disparus is a Brussels-based theatre company with a self-assigned mission: to encourage empathy through art.
Jamal Youssfi has written and directed 10 plays, and his latest project represents a dramatic shift in his artistic portrayal of migration. "My 2010 show, La Traversée de la mort ('The Death Crossing'), was so serious," he told The Brussels Times. "But I realise now that nothing has changed – the situation [in the Mediterranean] is even worse. So why not talk about it in a more light-hearted way?"
Focusing on humanity, empathy and solidarity, Le Songe ('The Dream') is the story of a theatre troupe that comes across a group of poverty-stricken migrants and welcomes them into their ranks.
Originally intended as a re-enactment of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', wherein the coveted female character embodies Europe, Youssfi threw the first script in the bin after viewing images of fishing boats packed full of people arriving on Europe's shores from Libya in 2011.
Credit: La Nomad House / Selene Magnolia
The reworked version is a marked departure from the Shakespearean text by placing migrant narratives at the centre of the story. Mirroring the plot, Youssfi has cast migrants and asylum seekers as the main characters alongside his permanent troupe of actors.
The play seeks to illustrate the human links between individuals: actors, migrants and everything in between. As part of the transnational cultural centre ' La Nomad House', Le Songe will be performed in Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Partinico in Italy, Sousse in Tunisia and Thessaloniki in Greece. The programme also includes a photographic exhibition and a series of workshops.
The son of north African immigrants himself, Youssfi grew up in Brussels and experienced marginalisation throughout his youth. "When I was a kid, people used to say to my parents: you’re nice people but you’re different to us. You don’t even go to church."
Personal journey
Youssfi's professional aspirations are therefore inextricable from his lived experience. His work pushes society to reflect on its values, and each play is underpinned by the conviction that you must acknowledge – and celebrate – your roots.
"I believe we have to know where we come from in order to blossom in society. Growing up, I felt like society wanted to erase my identity. But the story of my parents and where I came from always had a real effect on me."
La Nomad House's wandering formula allows for the conversation to involve even the most reluctant of audiences across Europe. Each performance is open access and will take place in centrally located squares under cover of a "magnificent" circus tent.
Les Nouveaux Disparus perform in Bulgaria in 2019. Credit: Les Nouveaux Disparus
The 'pay what you want' model is of central importance to the impassioned director too, whose company is committed to cultural diversity and the democratisation of art.
"Culture shouldn't be a privilege, it is a right," he says, explaining that the echo chamber can be bypassed with "the magic of the circus tent".
"For kids living in social housing or poor neighbourhoods, culture is an opportunity to see the world in a different way. The show is open to a great mix of people. And besides, everyone likes Shakespeare!"
Vehicle for joy
Despite the dire situation on migratory routes from Africa and elsewhere to Europe, Youssfi is adamant that a cheerful spin is an appropriate path to take in this case. Le Songe is above all an expression of humanity and an attempt to cultivate empathy among European society, particularly among younger generations, "the adults of the future".
"Art is life, it is love, it is sadness. Art allows you to bring people together, it allows you to handle topics as light-heartedly or as seriously as you want. It always leaves an impression on us, whether it is straightaway or after some time.
"Joy is so important. If society collapsed tomorrow, we would get our circus tent and travel from municipality to municipality, telling our story," Youssfi says with a smile.
La Nomad House will take place on Place de Brouckère from 12-20 April 2024 as part of a European tour. More information here.
