Theater performance Love me by the hour

On Oct. 9, the performance LOVE ME BY THE HOUR by mixed-abled theater company Speels Collectief will premiere in Schouwburg Concertzaal Tilburg. The performance, which is based on the experiences of sex workers and their clients, offers a broad picture of what sex work really is. The performance is accompanied by an extensive side program and has been made accessible to English-speaking visitors and people with visual impairments.

It sounds like a false fairy tale: the woman in need of rescue and the dirty male. But still that is the dominant image of sex workers and their clients in our society. Because of the taboo and limited representation around paid intimacy, there is little room for the diverse perspectives of the people who are themselves part of the world of sex work. A world that - they know - can be captured in anything but a single image.

Based on experiences of sex workers and their clients, the performance LOVE ME BY THE HOUR unfolds a much broader picture of sex work. Beyond the cliché of the red light, we turn the spotlight on those for whom intimacy - for whatever reason - is a matter of supply and demand. With red ears, but no blush on the cheeks, this musical movement performance is an ode to the many forms of paid intimacy.

To create the performance, Speels Collective conducted interviews with sex workers and clients about their experiences. These experiences form the basis of the performance.

For the first time, Speels Collective has an extensive peripheral program to accompany a performance. Thus, visitors to LOVE ME BY THE HOUR can also visit the accompanying exhibition. There are several parts to experience:

• The audio installation “The work of subjectification” (2021) about men and masculinity by artist Pennie Key.

• A photo exhibition by Reimagining Sex Work. This exhibit introduces you to all aspects of the lives of people in the sex work industry to counter stereotyping (which often comes with a negative connotation).

• The Educational Table with all kinds of information about sex work, including a
  book on Lisette Mepschen and a media guide from Reimagining Sex Work.