ALL ANTWERP: “A few years ago I wrote a play about the Louis, the well-known outdoor sleeper of ‘t Astridplein” (Antwerp)
Every day our reporter and photographer pick a casual passer-by off the street for a chat. Want everyone has a story. And certainly in Antwerp. Today: Elsie Rottiers (65).
“I play theater. That has been my hobby for 49 years. It has always remained with amateur theater, but in recent years the level has risen considerably. Now I play at Theater Vonk. We’re performing this weekend. An old piece by Ibsen, but then rewritten and given a contemporary look.”
“We always play heavy pieces with Theater Vonk. The Seagull from Chekhov, a little pain from Pinterest. After all these years, that was a challenge for me, but I like doing it. You are always the same person but you still have the feeling that you can make something different every time. I can do that, I can do that well.”
“I have also written plays. Including about the Louis, the sleeper, the well-known homeless person from ‘t Astridplein who died a few years ago. He was a special figure and eventually became a good friend of mine. In the beginning I passed him and gave him a penny once. When I stopped working, I spoke to him and eventually I made a play about his life. He even came to see. He liked to be in the spotlight, the Louis.”
“He’s been dead for a few years now. On December 18, his birthday, I still call his girlfriend to see how she is doing. They were soul mates.” evw