Key visual Theaterfestival auawirleben Bern

Guilty of Love

Marieke&Sophia (Brüssel)

Place Schlachthaus Theater

Language English

Duration 50 min

Friday 24.5. 18:30 | Saturday 25.5. 18:30

In «Guilty of Love», Marie Schraepen, Sophia Bauer and Mats Vandroogenbroeck investigate the eroticization of sexual violence in the western cultural imagination. The image of the dead, raped women is especially prominent and keeps returning in many forms. In constantly changing roles, the performers attempt to get a grip on this image. Popular imaginations cross each other. A testimony meets a soap dialogue and reenacted Youtube videos, while looking for a language that transcends the cliches of this theme.

Sophia Bauer and Marieke Schraepen met while studying drama at KASK School of Arts in Gent, Belgium, from which they graduated together in 2022. Marieke&Sophia try to develop a specific artistic language together: with humour and awkwardness they try to bring difficult, often painful content to the stage.

«Guilty of Love» is part of the Bring a Friend format. In 2022, we launched an attempt to question and soften our role as gatekeepers in the curating process. We asked three of our invited companies to nominate artists from their own local context for our programme, who have not yet toured much internationally. Marieke&Sophia were invited by Ezra Veldhuis and Bosse Provoost, who are presenting All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace at aua this year.

Easy Read

Violence against women is sometimes shown as something positive or romantic. That’s dangerous because it downplays violence. The pieces talks about different moments when this happens. 

Trigger Warning

Sexualised violence

For people with mobility disabilities

Schlachthaus Theater is accessible barrier-free and has a barrier-free toilet. 

Special Check-In

At auawirleben you have the option of a Special Check-In. If for any reason you would like to avoid the crowded foyer, require a specific seat, need any mobility assistance or would like to be picked up at the bus station, please contact us in advance (checkin@auawirleben.ch). Someone from the team will accompany you according to your needs.

Access Friend

At Schlachthaus Theater you will find an Access Friend before, during and after the performances. This person is marked with a purple waistcoat. If you have any questions about accessibility or need assistance, please turn to the Access Friend.

Social Story

Social stories are used as a tool to prepare people for a social event such as a theatre performance. In our Social Stories, you will find a description for each performance, what situation to expect at the venue and what customs apply there. You can find the (German) Social Story of «Guilty of Love» as PDF here.

By & With
Marie Schraepen, Sophia Bauer, Mats Vandroogenbroeck

Thanks to: Campo, Larf Kazematten, Viernulvier, KASK Drama School of Arts, Luanda Casella, Bauke Lievens, Bardia Mohammad, Kunstenwerkplaats

marieke&sophia