In Lapland, the sun shines even at night, which is why Gabe’s mum was determined to go there. But then they end up stranded on a dyke somewhere in Friesland and spend the night in a garage. So they never find out that sometimes the sun doesn’t shine at all in Lapland. Isn’t it lovely to have such an impulsive, adventurous mum?
In *Fierder Nei It Noarden*, the latest play by the Frisian-language theatre company Tryater, we see that fascinating mother portrayed by Tamara Schoppert, and it is a delight to witness. She portrays that yearning for adventure and glamour with precisely the right touch of underlying tragedy, so that you can clearly imagine how desperately this free spirit longs to escape the dreary, middle-class existence to which her small-town marriage has condemned her. And why a sense of doom hangs over her head.
No car, but a train
That’s reason enough for someone living in a more southerly part of the Netherlands to make the trip to Heerenveen. The play premiered there on Friday, in the showroom of a regional dealer selling cars that were once iconic in the land of Sofia Loren. It will be shown at more branches of that company in the coming weeks: a fine example of public-private partnership. You don’t even have to buy a car afterwards.
This is already the second time in a year that I’ve seen a Tryater production and found myself deeply moved as I boarded the train home. The previous time was at Swimbad in Bakkeveen, and now here in Heerenveen – once again, not in a proper theatre, because that’s not what Tryater does. The Frisian company seeks out the audience, rather than the other way round. For a long time, I thought that this must result in a sort of community centre theatre, where theatrical quality is sacrificed in exchange for direct contact with the audience. But that turned out to be a dreadful prejudice. Here too, Tryater delivers top-quality drama, with excellent actors and compelling music. But with the added bonus of an incredibly engaged audience. And a beautiful language that gives the whole thing just that little bit more allure for foreigners like me.
Universal
For that relative outsider, all of this has a greater impact because this story isn’t strictly region-specific, as is currently being done very effectively in Twente. It is, however, a form of storytelling that is deeply rooted in the trials and tribulations and the beauty of the countryside. It gave me a Bruce Springsteen vibe.
That’s not just because Tim Helderman, who plays the son Gabe, is so incredibly good at keeping the inner turmoil of a boy with intense emotions in check. The largely silent Mats Voshol is also convincing in the role of that secret crush. The fact that he also delivers a superb drumming performance is an added bonus.
Waterlanders
That Bruce Springsteen vibe lies in that vast horizon they long for, with their old cars. Those little people who want to be big.
So, as the story unfolds, the relationship between Gabe and his mother turns out to be a lot more complex than we realise, and the night does strange things to the imagination. So, towards the end, when it becomes clear what we’ve been watching, it’s very easy to let the tears start flowing. Aided, it must be said, by a heavy downpour on the aluminium roof of the workshop.
Nederlands 
English (UK) 
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