circus & music theater

PAKMAN

“The power of their imagination causes the sad package system to fall apart at the seams.”

De Morgen

PAKMAN lives at a faster pace than a mouse can click. 1 package, 2 forms, 3 stamps, 6 signatures, 450 times a day, 159,750 parcels per year in exchange for 10 days’ holiday. PAKMAN criss-crosses the country, making sure that he delivers packages exactly on time. The audience is invited into the back of his small lorry for an intense performance about an inhabitant of our virtual economy who is as lonely as he is invisible.

PAKMAN is an encounter between the rhythms of the juggler Stijn Grupping and the drummer Frederik Meulyzer. Together they explore the rhythm to which ‘this’ era is subject. How does PAKMAN’s enforced speed relate to natural rhythms like his heart rate and breathing? Stijn and Frederik allow the rhythms and routines of their bouncing balls and drums to enter into dialogue. Together they make live music, in which – each with his own instrument – they strengthen, counteract, complement and challenge one another.

PAKMAN is performed in a lorry, which comes to a halt on squares, car parks and playgrounds. There is space in the back for twenty-five spectators to join them.

creation
Stijn Grupping, Frederik Meulyzer & Ine Van Baelen
circus & live music
Stijn Grupping & Frederik Meulyzer/Jochem Baelus
direction
Ine Van Baelen
scenographer
Reinout Hiel
movement coaching
Karolien Verlinden
costume
Linse Van Gool
graphic design
Vildana Memic
corpoduction
Theater op de Markt & MiramirO
with the support of
de Vlaamse Overheid, Provincie Antwerpen & Stad Antwerpen
thanks to
Born in Antwerp, Theater Luxemburg, Theater FroeFroe,
Martha!Tentatief and Circuscentrum for work- and rehearsal space
Dirk De Hooge for the hours of painting
Klein Verzet for the management
Klaartje Brouns & Vincent Company for the distribution

‘The show is a lovely example of what theatre is capable of doing so well: being wildly entertaining and also building empathy.’

‘I have seen some impressive jugglers in my time, but Grupping surpasses them all.’

Review Mephisto 97 (D)

‘In amongst all this great new material, it is Post uit Hessdalen that is a true revelation. Juggler Stijn Grupping plays the conveyor belt worker of our age.’

16–19 Apr 2026
PAKMAN
MAD Festival, Antwerp (BE)
‘Forget The White Stripes, you are the best two man band I’ve ever seen.’
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