Circus show on location
premiere April 2026 (MAD Festival)
four acrobats (six people total on tour)
duration: 50-60 min (max 2x per day)
performance area: 15x15 metre, outside, audience all around
city square to festival meadow (capacity 300-500)
ages: 6-99
main language English, Dutch or French
climate neutral performance on our own solar panels.
A striking seven-metre-high climbing frame forms the futuristic playing field for four acrobats, who together with the audience imagine the future. They explore how, hand in hand, in the midst of an uncertain world, we can still look ahead together. Breakneck stunts at precarious heights go hand in hand with humour, rebellious optimism and a touch of mischief. Looking Forward is an acrobatic theatre performance and a collective exercise in daring to imagine.
Looking Forward forms the conclusion of a trilogy about optimism – not as a naïve ideal, but as an act of resistance. Optimism as a choice, as rebellion against cynicism and indifference. Convinced that our view of humanity is in need of change, Monki created the solos 60% Banana (an optimistic view of humanity in a brand-new format: a circus conference) and Niks Nieuws (his coming-out as an optimist). For Looking Forward, he seeks the collaboration of three other acrobats and the audience: together they practise thinking about the future.
Looking Forward is the final instalment in a triptych about optimism – not as a naïve ideal, but as an act of resistance. Optimism as a choice, as rebellion against cynicism and indifference. Convinced that our view of humanity needs to change, Monki created the solos 60% Banaan (an optimistic view of humanity in a brand-new format: a circus conference) and Niks Nieuws (his coming-out as an optimist). For Looking Forward, he seeks collaboration with three other acrobats and the audience: together they practise thinking about the future.
Team
Performance: Hanna de Vletter, Clara Köpf,
Ohtocani Alvarez, Benjamin Kuitenbrouwer
Direction: Anouke de Groot
Dramaturgy: Bas van Rijnsoever
Production: Veerle van Lieshout
Marketing: Marieke van Oosten
Technique: Cahit Metin
Creative direction: Benjamin Kuitenbrouwer
Subsidies
Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunsten, Gemeente Rotterdam,
BNG Fonds, Stichting Dioraphte, VSB Fonds, Cultuurfonds, Norma
Co-productions
Circuswerkplaats Dommelhof, Circuswerkplaats Cirklabo,
TENT, Deventer op Stelten, ECDF, MAD Festival
Provisional performance dates
17-19 April 2026 : MAD Festival, Antwerpen (BE)
1-3 May 2026: Circusstad, Rotterdam (NL) [option]
2-7 June 2026: Fries Straatfestival, Leeuwarden (NL) [option]
12-21 June 2026 : Oerol, Terschelling (NL)
27 June 2026 : CC Amstel, Amsterdam (NL)
1-5 July 2026 : Deventer Op Stelten (NL)
5-9 August 2026 : Theater Op De Markt, Hasselt (BE)
11-13 August 2026 : Berlin Circus Festival (DE) [option]
17-23 August 2026 : BosFest, Amsterdam (NL) option]
Social project
The future belongs to all of us. That is why Monki Business involves the local community in every playground. In collaboration with cultural partners and neighbourhood organisations, workshops are organised with thinking exercises, writing assignments and imagination games. A selection of the future fantasies is incorporated into the performance. Through its physical presence in public spaces, Looking Forward connects with residents and passers-by in an accessible way. A first pilot week has already been successfully organised in collaboration with Deventer op Stelten and social organisations.
Autonomous installation
The eye-catcher is a futuristic climbing frame seven metres high, designed and built by Douwe Hibma. The structure of poles and crossbars is mounted on a trailer and is stable enough to stand on its own. Thanks to the built-in sound system and power supply via portable solar panels, the performance is completely self-sufficient and sustainable.
For programmers, download the sales dossier here:
