Swiping Right

Can (online) dating help bridge political divides? In Swiping Right, Sophie Anna Veelenturf explores what happens when political opposites connect. How do ideology and beliefs shape our desires and relationships? How do we navigate between attraction and resistance?

Drawing on her own experience of doomed dates with conservative men, the self-proclaimed ‘leftie’ brings her personal quest to the stage. As young artist in residence with Belgian theatre company BERLIN, she blends stand-up, documentary theatre and re-enacted interviews with dates, couples and experts. With humour and sharp dialogue, she delivers a bold, intimate dive into love and politics. 

Performance for audiences 16 and up. This performance contains testimonies and interviews that include hurtful or discriminatory statements, including instances of transphobia, racism, sexism, and the stigmatisation of individuals based on political views or identity.
 

performance, concept and text: Sophie Anna Veelenturf
direction: Doris de Vries
research, production and co-direction: Jarne Van Loon
performance coaching: Kristien De Proost, Karolien De Bleser
outside eye: Marah Haj Hussein
scenography: Chloé Wasselin Dandre
set construction: Wiebe Moerman
music composition and final mix: Seppe Vande Veire
technical direction: Marjolein Demey, Nick De Keyser
technician: Rex Tee, Jakke Theyssens
business management: Patrick Sterckx
sales: David Bauwens / Play The House Down
communications: Sam Loncke
co-production: Het Laatste Bedrijf, Cambridge Junction
residency partners: CAMPO, NTGent, kunstencentrum nona, c o r s o, Het Oude Badhuis, Theater aan Zee, de Brakke Grond
with thanks to: all interviewees, Rashif El Kaoui, Josie Dale-Jones
with the support of: the Flemish Government, Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government, Gallop Tax Shelter, deAuteurs, the Stobbs New Ideas Fund
 

Performance in English, audio fragments in Dutch and English. Performance with Polish subtitles. 

premiere: 31 July 2025 r.

'In Swiping Right we don’t get abstract numbers, but tangible examples. About ignoring xenophobic remarks because you yourself have a migration background. About femininity that seems to evaporate if you don’t have maternal instincts. About farmers who don’t know anyone who votes left. And above all: about lying in someone’s arms at night, wondering who you have become.' Anneleen Ophoff for Apache

'[Swiping Right] raises spiky questions about the tricky business of getting along. […] Sophie Anna Veelenturf takes a nuanced personal look at how apps can prevent us falling for those whose politics we deplore.' Mark Fisher for The Guardian

'As the only on-stage performer, Veelenturf holds the room’s attention skilfully, exhibiting the seamlessness of the show’s structure and rehearsal. [...] Swiping Right is an interesting interpretation of a question whose answer is not as obvious as it seems, and which delivers a nuanced and well-documented debate.' Ruth Cullen for Cambridge Independent

'Bold, idiosyncratic and ultimately vulnerable theatre (…) A search for affection, shaped by hesitation and wonder.' Hein Janssen for Theaterkrant
 

Festivals:

Theater aan Zee, Ostend (BE)
Edinburgh Fringe, Edinburgh (UK)