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STEIN is a programme with songs, intermezzi and improvisations, based on the book Tender Buttons, by the American writer Gertrude Stein (1914). Compositions by Luc Houtkamp.

Performers:
Stephanie Pan: voice/keyboard
Guy Harries: voice/keyboard/flute
Peter Kuit: tap dance
Alberto Pérez Jurado: tuba
Luc Houtkamp: saxes, live electronics and computer.

More info on STEIN can be found on its own website.

A DOG,  Solo tapdance Peter Kuit:

Mildred’s Umbrella / Apple  :  https://youtu.be/fxkhTXQH7LM

Gertrude Stein, the great American writer, is widely known from “Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose”. However, she wrote many more beautiful, poetic lines. What about this, written 100 years ago:

“Elephant beaten with candy and little pops and chews all bolts and reckless reckless rats, this is this.”
And:
“A little monkey goes like a donkey that means to say that means to say that more sighs last goes. Leave with it. A little monkey goes like a donkey.”

Texts that may sound a little cryptic, and yes, they are! Those texts are meant to have no meaning. They concentrate on the beauty of the poem itself and its construction, similar to a cubist or an abstract painting.

Thus, Gertrude Stein’s book Tender Buttons has delicately been put on music by composer Luc Houtkamp. The musicians make a light, accessible and humorous show, higly varied, enigmatic and sometimes comfusing like Steins’s texts themselves.
For an impression of the production, watch our video clip!

Tessa Joosse: visual artist (video, photography, and stage design)

For this project, a crowdfunding campaign was launched, to gather money for a special promotion concert. Although the campaign is closed now (resulting in a total of donations at € 2170) you can still help us realising this project by donating, click here !

Donations and subsidies:

The music for STEIN was composed with financial support by the Fonds Podiumkunsten.

The project STEIN has received financial support from the Hausta Donans Fonds via Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds.

The special theatrical version in Theater Branoul, the STEIN soirees on 10-13 December 2015, was financially supported by Gemeente Den Haag.