Mario Barrantes Espinoza
FLESH CAN’T CAN’ T NOT’T ‘TIS FLESH H...
- 16.11 — 18.11 2025
- Performances
- Sala Estúdio Valentim de Barros / Jardins do Bombarda
- €12 (See discounts)
- ages 12+
- 1H
A sensorial trip into the abyss opened by displacement, desire, and tropical science fiction.
Imagine a sci-fi universe shaped by reggaeton, the urban dance of perreo, the experience of inhabiting a foreign language, and the history of Central America marked by the export of tropical fruit.
On stage, two bodies lead us through futuristic and post-apocalyptic landscapes, tracing the bittersweet paths of migration between the Global South and North. Bodies that melt – in exhaustion or ecstasy – to the rhythm of a collapsing world. Around them, ghostly presences echo: demonic voices, radio hosts, and documentary fragments that expose the circuits of migration – of people, language, and goods.
Between urban beats and colonial memories, Flesh can’t can’ t not’t ‘tis flesh h… combines a DJ set, text projection, dance, and sculpture. A choreographic delirium in which the body speaks, even when language fails.
Note: this piece explores the complexities of understanding between languages. Specifically, the surtitles are at times absent, incomplete, or unusual.
Post-show talk with Mario Barrantes Espinoza and Bruno Brandolino (in English) on 16 Nov.
Credits
Concept, performance and texts Mario Barrantes Espinoza Co-creation of performance and text Luis Javier Murillo Zúñiga Performing in Lisbon Marlla Araújo Artistic assistance and texts Theo Livesey Dramaturgy and texts Martín Zícari Music Luis Miguel Ramírez aka DJ Amapola Stage design Mona Oren (wax sculptures), Amalia Jaulin (plexiglass sculptures) Stage design assistance Jeanne Fleury Light design Ryoya Fudetani Costume direction Nikos Kalaz Stage manager Milan Van Doren Movement advice Marlla Araújo Produced by Hiros Light assistance Yuika Koizumi Laser Lenaic Pujol Costume realisation Moran Sanderovich Video projections and trailer Federico Vladimir Strate Pezdirc Title design Guille Carmona Coproduced by Kaaitheater, Toneelhuis, VIERNULVIER, deSingel, Kunstenwerkplaats, Perpodium Residencies workspacebrussels, Kunstencentrum BUDA In collaboration with KAAP, STUK With the support of Vlaamse Overheid, tax shelter of Federal Belga Government via uFund, Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie Special thanks Robbe Embrechts, Tembi De Koninck, Rinus Chaerle, Amy Clark, Nathan Isahakyan
Co-presented with Teatro Nacional D. Maria II.
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Trailer
Mario Barrantes Espinoza is a Costa Rican-Nicaraguan artist based in Brussels. They studied theatre and dance at the National University of Costa Rica before moving to Belgium, where they graduated from the Training Cycle (2016) and the Research Studios (2018) at P.A.R.T.S. He has collaborated in works by François Chaignaud, Théo Mercier, Benjamin Abel Meirhaeghe, Michiel Vandevelde and Eszter Salamon, and performed as guest artist for the bands Peaches and The Subs. Mario currently develops projects as an independent artist. His work articulates performance, the...