In September, the final touches will be put to the touring production in the Tryater theatre in Leeuwarden Fierder nei it Noarden. The director, cast and crew are rehearsing hard for the performances, which will take place from 7 October in car workshops in Heerenveen, Drachten and Leeuwarden. This raw production, accompanied by a live soundtrack and exploring parent-child relationships, mental wellbeing and the complexities of love, is already attracting considerable interest at the box office.
A night-time visit
The Friends of Tryater were the first to sign up, followed by the early-bird discount and a nationwide campaign by the Friends Lottery, which attracted even more early buyers to the Tryater website. Nevertheless, applications continue to come in steadily for the production directed by Loek de Bakker and written by Herman van de Wijdeven. Both are nationally recognised figures with recent experience at Tryater: De Bakker directed the successful school production Loft – currently being revived – and Van de Wijdeven wrote Anwar and the wolf, such a hit as a children’s show that new performance dates keep being announced.
Alongside musician Mats Voshol, who provides a live, multi-layered musical score for this intimate and at times surreal performance whilst also portraying a character, the leading roles are played by familiar Tryater face Tamara Schoppert and relative newcomer Tim Helderman. They play mother Sunny and son Gabe, who have a complicated relationship. Or did; a question that keeps cropping up during the performance. Once, whilst on a daring journey, they broke down in a car garage, where they were forced to spend the night. Years later, as an adult, Gabe returns to retrace his steps in life with his mother. It’s night-time again, and he’s brought Sunny back with him.
A special experience to direct
The play oscillates between dream and reality, moving from memory to the present day. And all this takes place in the real setting of an actual car garage, where, during the day right up until the set is built, cars are simply being repaired and inspected. Director De Bakker: ‘That is an essential part of the performance; it is precisely that harsh environment that makes the work all the more poignant. It lends a magical yet stark atmosphere to a performance that can also be gentle. Gabe has the conversation with his mum that they’d never been able to have before, and wonders why his childhood was the way it was. Didn’t he have to look after her more than the other way round? A remarkable story to direct, with fine actors who can really bring it to life.’
Tryater Rûnom
Around Fierder nei it Noarden Tryater Rûnom – the programme that organises fringe events and offers in-depth insights into, amongst other things, performances – is launching a series of videos and live discussions on parent-child relationships. Videos featuring familiar faces will soon be posted on Tryater’s social media, and at various performances the audience will be invited to take part in a meaningful and, above all, enjoyable conversation about parenting, growing up and their own relationships with parents or children. One-to-one, on a voluntary basis and away from the audience.
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