THE SMILE OFF YOUR FACE
You are blindfolded. You are tied up in a wheelchair. There is no stage. There's no audience, no place where actors perform under the lights. Actually you don't know where you are, but you have your suspicions. You are imagining something. Maybe you were here before. Maybe not.
Welcome to the darkest stage of Ontroerend Goed: The Smile Off Your Face. This international success of 2003 was one of Ontroerend Goed's breakthrough performances. Together with the other one-on-one performances A Game of You and Internal, it's part of Ontroerend Goed's Personal Trilogy.
In 2023, Ontroerend Goed created a new Chinese version along with Tempest Projects of their legendary show in China.
25 Feb - 27 Aug 2023 | Shanghai Cultural Square, Shanghai, China
1 Mar - 23 Mar 2024 | Hong Kong Arts Festival 2024
24 Oct - 25 Dec 2025 | Guangzhou Grand Theatre, Guangzhou, China
Reviews
“Undeniable the most intimate performance you will ever experience”
— Edinburgh Guide
“One of "The 50 best theatre shows of the 21st century”
— The Guardian
"As an essay in intimacy, human warmth and real emotional attention -and a reflection on the shocking lack of it, in many busy modern lives - 'The Smile off Your Face' is an unforgettable experience."
— The Scotsman - Joyce Mc Millan
"Last year in Edinburgh I argued that the hit show 'The Smile Off Your Face' wouldn't bear a repeat viewing... Well, I was wrong. I find something ineffably sad about the way that it encourages intimacy and yet ultimately shows intimacy to be an illusion, but this is a genuinely beguiling piece of theatre"
— The Guardian – Lyn Gardner
“It' s a MUST-SEE once-in-a-lifetime experience. You got tied up, blind folded, and you never know what' s gonna happen next.”
— Shanghai Audience 2023
"Astounding disorientating show...I am confident we will be seeing, and feeling, more of the Belgian company responsible – Ontroerend Goed.”
— The Guardian - Lyn Gardner
“You won' t feel scared or embarrassed inside, just come without any expectation. Everyone will treat you well, you will be safe.”
— Shanghai Audience 2023
“Curiosity, openness and willingness to question your right-thinking fetishes: for Ontroerend Goed it is methodology and subject at the same time.”
— Theaterkrant.nl – Evelyne Coussens, 2021
“Since coming to Hong Kong in 2006, I've attended the Hong Kong Arts Festival every year. Over these 18 years, this is the most unforgettable and lingering theatrical experience I've ever had—no contest.”
— Rednote @Emily, Hong Kong 2024
"A disorientating but extraordinary performance (…) It leaves you feeling fantastic.”
— The Times - Donald Hutera