On Sunday 9 August, a magnificent rainbow appeared over Utrecht at around half past eight. People who had just climbed down from the Dom Tower were immediately struck by it. “That’s very fitting, isn’t it, right now!” said one person. It was prompted by the performance by the Aluin Theatre Group that they had just seen.
“The Mad Sexton of the Dom Tower” is currently being performed in St Michael’s Chapel, on the first floor of the Dom Tower. It is a typical Aluin production: historically accurate narrative theatre brimming with infectious humour, and therefore perfectly suited to the regular school-pupil audience of this Utrecht-based theatre company, which has been running for almost forty years. The story centres on the verger of the Dom Church, who in 1729 ushered in a century of persecution of gay people – a period largely overlooked in the history books – by reporting two men kissing to the local authorities.
For a vast swathe of the country, the magnificent rainbow marked the start of one of the finest episodes of *Zomergasten* ever. With huge thanks to Merel Pauw, daughter of the brilliant actress Leonoor Pauw, who died far too young, and her loving, grieving and rather convinced conspiracy theorist father, George van Hout. But also with immense thanks to Janine Abbring, whom I have previously hailed as the best host for a programme such as *Zomergasten* (https://www.wijbrandschaap.nl/2017/08/geheim-beste-seizoen-zomergasten/).
Nothing to add
The two women made this evening memorable through a combination of empathy and boundlessness, allowing room for tears and silences, plus – as has been praised in all the reviews that have appeared so far – doubt.
I have absolutely nothing to add to those other reviews this time. In fact, I’m actually quite taken aback by just how well that female perspective works, because Merel Pauw’s willingness to express doubt, to admit she isn’t sure, is precisely what often keeps women out of the talk show circuit. Talk shows thrive on people who are sure of themselves and make definitive statements. Very often, those people have a willy between their legs. I can say that with some certainty. I’m still not quite sure about Angela de Jong.
It was clear from everything that Pauw had prepared for this three-hour interview with unprecedented enthusiasm and dedication. Each and every excerpt was remarkable and unexpected, and when the conversation turned to identity and pride towards the end, she even managed to bring the extremes of the political spectrum a little closer together, with a plea for uncertainty.
Perspective
The fact that she, as a queer woman with a masculine, rapping alter ego called Elmer, put up with Dave Chapelle’s transphobic hate humour for quite some time served a purpose: “You can disagree with someone’s views, but you can still learn a great deal from their perspective.”
That was the quote that cast the whole evening in the bright light of that rainbow beneath the Dom Tower, where the actors from Aluin similarly sought understanding for the fear that still persists of the persecution of anything that is different. A fear that is once again palpable in the secondary schools where they are performing.
The doubt that was given free rein this evening by Merel Pauw and Janine Abbring offers a glimpse of a history that might, for once, take a different course. That, for once, we might continue to harbour doubts. Give it space. Even if it’s only for a week.
In the next episode, Janine Abbring talks to a man who has been absolutely certain about a great many things for a very long time.
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