'The Day We Agreed That You Exist' is a absurdist theatre production about the far-reaching consequences of bureaucracy, a culture of fear, and the denial of mistakes. In a world where admitting failure is dangerous and paperwork defines reality, truth is endlessly manipulated to save face.

A clerical error made by a nervous official brings the non-existent Lieutenant Kijé into official existence, while the very much alive soldier Sinyoechayev is declared dead on paper. Under the harsh rule of Emperor Paul I, where mistakes can cost you your life, the written record becomes absolute truth.

This sets in motion the absurd story of two men trapped within the same bureaucratic web. Lieutenant Kijé goes on to lead a full military life — including exile to Siberia, fatherhood, captivity, and a personal correspondence with the emperor — while Sinyoechayev must figure out how to live as someone who officially no longer exists. With sharp humour, music, and satire, the performance asks a haunting question: how do you live when the world has agreed that you are dead?

photo's | Isabel van der Vlugt