Eleven days of celebrating theater during Nederlands Theater Festival

Aug 31, 2015 | by Senne Vercouteren | Art, Event

About the author

Having lived in London to study theater producing, Senne now selects the tastiest performances across Amsterdam and serves up the fine theatrical dishes this city has to offer.

The time has come yet again for the annual celebration of Dutch theater, as always a mixture of shows, galas and a keynote opening speech about the state of theater (by director Ola Mafaalani) compressed into less than a fortnight.

A glimpse of the program

This year’s shows selected by the Official Theater Jury include Oostpool’s Angels in America, Medea by Toneelgroep Amsterdam (directed by Simon Stone) and the much-talked about De Verleiders, a critical piece about the financial crisis. Probably the most noteworthy part of the festival’s program has always been its closing ceremony, during which the coveted actor’s prizes are awarded for exceptional lead performances. The best male actor takes home a Louis d’Or, while the best female gets a Theo d’Or. Check the shortlists here.

A theater marathon, various panel discussions and a plethora of awards and exhibitions complement the core events.

It ain’t no festival without a fringe. A theater marathon, various panel discussions and a plethora of awards and exhibitions – sixty years Louis and Theo d’Or – complement the core events. In addition, Nieuwe Grond (New Ground) forms a platform dedicated to reflection and modernization within the arts.

Several shows will be ‘language no problem’, meaning either English surtitles are provided, or indeed the production doesn’t contain words. To avoid remaining too capital-centric, some of the shows will tour, too.