Compagnie Krak was founded in 2008 by Els Degryse and Dieter Missiaen. 
Their first clownerie shows saw them perform together, followed by some solo creations in which only Dieter was on stage, while Els continued to work behind the scenes as co-creator and dramaturge. With these early creations, they focused mainly on making good clowning shows. 
In 2020, they started an artistic research project together on the connection between artist and audience and on the audience itself. This resulted in the performance-installation “Nothing” and the pop-up performance “Bench Invasion.” 
Bringing people together, often with a dash of humor, has always been central to the evolution of Compagnie Krak. The company is currently at work on a new production entitled “Kinstugi,” which will make its debut in Pennabilli.
All shows have been produced with the support of the Flemish Center for Circus Arts and with the support of the Government of Flanders.

Bench Invasion - The Art fo Listening
In this performance, the artist engages 10 people moving through the public space, each with a bench under their arm, and invites all spectators to sit close together. 
The benches build, the audience sits, slows down, is present and listens. 
At the end of each meeting, participants are invited to a final moment of discussion and reflection. And then the performance continues, the artist and the people actively involved in the creation of the performance take up the benches under their arms and continue into the public space in search of a new person to talk to. At the end of the performance, we all gather together, and the benches turn into a long table. With words, live music and a glass, a toast is raised to the beauty of small encounters and life. Afterwards, the communal table turns back into benches, the square empties, and everyone continues on his or her way. The central themes are connection between people, presence and celebration, and all of this takes place in shared public space, accessible to all.

Credits
Authors: Dieter Missiaen and Els Degryse
Artist: Dieter Missiaen
Dramaturgy: Els Degryse / Kommil Foo
Live music: Anna Buevich / Anouk Sanczuk
Designer benches: Marec Zeghers (zitter.be)
With support from: Perplx, Miramiro, CirkLabo.
Thanks to: Craig Weston, Sander Decuyper, Stef De Blieck, Marec Zeghers, Michael Minjauw, Lowie Vandenberghe (House Of Time Brugge), Gwendolien Sabbe, Martine Linaer-Gijsen, Tanja Ruiter, Wendy Moonen, Oerol Festival, Uitwijken - Brugge Plus, Te Gek!?, CC De Spil Roeselare, CC De Steiger Menen, Centre des arts de Rue - Ath, L'attitude 50. And all bench carriers.

Recommended age: +16.