{"id":101187,"date":"2026-04-13T14:19:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T12:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/?p=101187"},"modified":"2026-04-13T14:19:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T12:19:17","slug":"a-case-for-the-existence-of-god-bekroonde-voorstelling-over-hoop-en-vaderschap-keert-terug-in-de-theaters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2026\/04\/a-case-for-the-existence-of-god-bekroonde-voorstelling-over-hoop-en-vaderschap-keert-terug-in-de-theaters\/","title":{"rendered":"A Case for the Existence of God: Award-winning show about hope and fatherhood returns to theatres"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The acclaimed show <em>A Case for the Existence of God<\/em> by director Erik Whien can be seen again in theatres in the Netherlands and Belgium from 12 May to 13 June. The production was unanimously praised by the press and selected for both the Nederlands Theater Festival and the TheaterFestival Vlaanderen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"534\" height=\"367\" data-attachment-id=\"101188\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2026\/04\/a-case-for-the-existence-of-god-bekroonde-voorstelling-over-hoop-en-vaderschap-keert-terug-in-de-theaters\/a-case-for-the-existence-of-god-theater-rotterdam-thomas-fjodor-c-mark-bolk-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-Case-for-the-Existence-of-God-Theater-Rotterdam-Thomas-Fjodor-c-Mark-Bolk-1-.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"534,367\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"A-Case-for-the-Existence-of-God-Theater-Rotterdam-Thomas-Fjodor-c-Mark-Bolk-1-\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-Case-for-the-Existence-of-God-Theater-Rotterdam-Thomas-Fjodor-c-Mark-Bolk-1-.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-Case-for-the-Existence-of-God-Theater-Rotterdam-Thomas-Fjodor-c-Mark-Bolk-1-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-101188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-Case-for-the-Existence-of-God-Theater-Rotterdam-Thomas-Fjodor-c-Mark-Bolk-1-.jpg 534w, https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-Case-for-the-Existence-of-God-Theater-Rotterdam-Thomas-Fjodor-c-Mark-Bolk-1--300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-Case-for-the-Existence-of-God-Theater-Rotterdam-Thomas-Fjodor-c-Mark-Bolk-1--18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 534px) 100vw, 534px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Mark Bolk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this contemporary and moving play by American playwright Samuel D. Hunter, an unexpected friendship unfolds between two single fathers. At first glance, Kevin and Bryan seem to have little in common, except that life has hit them both hard. It is precisely those setbacks that form the basis for a special connection in which something greater - perhaps even divine - becomes palpable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One father struggles with financial problems, the other with complex adoption procedures surrounding his daughter. Together they search for grip and meaning, and explore how hope can remain when life threatens to paralyse you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After previous successful performances such as <em>Sadness is the thing with feathers<\/em>, <em>Hamlet<\/em> and <em>Slaughterhouse five<\/em> Erik Whien made the first Dutch adaptation of this internationally acclaimed play. During this reprisal tour, the roles of Kevin and Bryan will be played by Thomas H\u00f6ppener and Fjodor Jozefzoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The performance was praised by the press for its understated strength and the special chemistry between the actors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 <em>de Volkskrant<\/em>: \u201cErik Whien makes the voices of two completely different people sound harmonious\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 <em>NRC<\/em>: \u201cOpposites yet find each other in a sober performance\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Theatre newspaper<\/em>: \u201cHow something magical can happen between two actors\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 <em>Dutch newspaper<\/em>: \u201cThis play shows how magical theatre can be\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>De Groene Amsterdammer<\/em>: \u201cWhat director Erik Whien is great at is staging the impossible small gesture\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>The Parool<\/em>: \u201cAn ode to friendship\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>A Case for the Existence of God<\/em> is a poignant and hopeful performance about humanity, connection and the power of friendship - just when all seems lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>text<\/strong> Samuel D. Hunter <strong>direction<\/strong> Erik Whien <strong>game <\/strong>Thomas H\u00f6ppener and Fjodor Jozefzoon <strong>translation <\/strong>Vera Morina, Erik Whien <strong>dramaturgy<\/strong> Brecht De Backer <strong>scenography<\/strong> Marloes and Wikke <strong>lighting design<\/strong> Julian Maiwald <strong>costume design<\/strong> Rebekka W\u00f6rmann <strong>music <\/strong>Thijs van Vuure <strong>pictures<\/strong> Mark Bolk<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A Case for the Existence of God<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Theatre Rotterdam \/ Erik Whien<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">on tour in the Netherlands and Belgium from 12 May to 13 June<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">cards <a href=\"https:\/\/manage.pressmailings.com\/click\/?id=77722332&amp;url=1100213&amp;signature=hHTSIYzIj1eR2x5zZkVqQe1TEaSzvOCCOeRDVRyO6Cs\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.theaterrotterdam.nl\/case<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>De bejubelde voorstelling A Case for the Existence of God van regisseur Erik Whien is van 12 mei tot en met 13 juni opnieuw te zien in theaters in Nederland en Belgi\u00eb. De productie werd unaniem lovend ontvangen door de pers en geselecteerd voor zowel het Nederlands Theater Festival als het TheaterFestival Vlaanderen. In dit [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"activitypub_content_warning":"","activitypub_content_visibility":"","activitypub_max_image_attachments":3,"activitypub_interaction_policy_quote":"anyone","activitypub_status":"federated","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11917,8843,4759],"tags":[13539,8105],"class_list":["post-101187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-persberichten","category-podiumkunst","category-theater-podiumkunst-2","tag-erik-whien","tag-theater-rotterdam"],"featured_image_url":[],"post_author":"een van onze leden","assigned_categories":"PERSBERICHTEN, PODIUMKUNST, THEATER","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":93153,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2024\/01\/het-godsbewijs-van-samuel-d-hunter-bij-theater-rotterdam-sinds-ik-vader-ben-moet-ik-hoopvol-zijn-ik-kan-niet-meer-cynisch-zijn\/","url_meta":{"origin":101187,"position":0},"title":"Samuel D. Hunter's Proof of God at Theatre Rotterdam: \"Since I'm a father, I have to be hopeful, I can't be cynical anymore.\"","author":"Wijbrand Schaap","date":"5 January 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"\"When you put two blokes on stage in America, the audience expects them to either beat each other up or have sex. In this play, neither of those things happens, but in the theatre it\u2019s almost always about two men who are either fighting or having sex.\" Legendary words by Samuel D.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;PODIUMKUNST&quot;","block_context":{"text":"PODIUMKUNST","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/podiumkunst\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Nagesprek in foyer TR8. Vlnr: Brecht de Backer, Samuel D. Hunter en Erik Whien. foto: Wijbrand Schaap","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_20240104_220110-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_20240104_220110-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_20240104_220110-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_20240104_220110-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_20240104_220110-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_20240104_220110-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":115191,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2026\/06\/het-nieuwe-seizoen-van-theater-rotterdam-de-makerscommunity-trekt-met-9-producties-het-land-in\/","url_meta":{"origin":101187,"position":1},"title":"Theatre Rotterdam's new season - the maker community travels the country with 9 productions\u00a0","author":"Theater Rotterdam","date":"2 June 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A season full of cross-pollination, collaborations and the entire creative community taking to the stage This coming theatre season, Theater Rotterdam will be touring the country for the first time with all the creators from its creative community. More than ever, the various creators at Theater Rotterdam are coming together, with collaborations in which they enhance each other\u2019s work, from co-creations\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;PERSBERICHTEN&quot;","block_context":{"text":"PERSBERICHTEN","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/service\/persberichten\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":108687,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2026\/05\/theatermaker-mathieu-wijdeven-onderzoekt-het-verhaal-achter-de-eerste-surinaamse-opera\/","url_meta":{"origin":101187,"position":2},"title":"Theatre-maker Mathieu Wijdeven explores the story behind Suriname's first opera\u00a0\u00a0","author":"Theater Rotterdam","date":"13 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"What does it mean to make an opera in colonial Suriname, shaped by European classical traditions and rooted in Surinamese stories? In Helstone in The Pledge of the Gods, theatre-maker Mathieu Wijdeven explores what the first Surinamese opera still has to tell us today. 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The performance will premiere during the opening of the festival on 28 May at Podium Moza\u00efek. IN BRAND is an explosive and compelling performance by ZID Theater, in which music,...","rel":"","context":"In &quot;PERSBERICHTEN&quot;","block_context":{"text":"PERSBERICHTEN","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/service\/persberichten\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":101164,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2026\/04\/zid-theater-presenteert-de-tiende-editie-van-het-explorez-festival-in-amsterdam\/","url_meta":{"origin":101187,"position":4},"title":"ZID Theatre presents the tenth edition of the Explorez Festival in Amsterdam!","author":"ZID Theater","date":"10 April 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"From 28 May to 7 June 2026, Amsterdam will transform into a vibrant stage full of performances, workshops, and interactive activities. The annual ExploreZ Festival stands for diversity, inclusion, international cooperation and surprising crossovers between disciplines and local communities. ZID Theatre is proud to announce the tenth edition of this multi-day festival...","rel":"","context":"In &quot;ACTUEEL&quot;","block_context":{"text":"ACTUEEL","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/nieuws\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":108433,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2026\/05\/over-twee-weken-is-het-zover-zid-theater-opent-een-nieuwe-editie-van-het-explorez-festival-in-amsterdam\/","url_meta":{"origin":101187,"position":5},"title":"In a fortnight' time, ZID Theatre will open a new edition of the Explorez Festival in Amsterdam!","author":"ZID Theater","date":"12 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The annual ExploreZ Festival stands for diversity, inclusion, international cooperation and surprising crossovers between disciplines and local communities. From 28 May to 7 June 2026, Amsterdam will transform into a vibrant stage full of performances, workshops, and interactive activities.The theme of Necessity as Compass is the common thread running through the festival programme. It is...","rel":"","context":"In &quot;DANS&quot;","block_context":{"text":"DANS","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/podiumkunst\/dans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3yKke-qk3","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101187"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101189,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101187\/revisions\/101189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=101187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=101187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}