Fans can rest assured: in the renewed version, the famous theatre hall of Soldaat van Oranje still starts spinning at exactly the same moment. When student Erik Hazelhoff (Joep Paddenburg) steps out of his club, walks across the Rapenburg in Leiden and the chorus of Morgen is vandaag is sung for the first time. It remains a unique theatre moment to literally see (and feel) this performance start moving.
Since its premiere in October 2010, Soldaat van Oranje, the musical about Englandvaarder Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, has attracted 3.6 million visitors to the TheaterHangaar in Katwijk. The innovative staging, in which the audience sits on a turntable that rotates 360 degrees along impressive sets, was praised. Fourteen successful years later, the creative team felt it was time for an update. This summer, the musical was put on hold and work was done on content and form innovations. The renewed version premiered on Sunday.
About the author
Joris Henquet writes for the Volkskrant about cabaret, stand-up comedy and musicals.
Many details and subtleties appear to have been changed, but the most important news is that Soldaat van Oranje is still very much Soldaat van Oranje. That’s a good thing, because a performance that works shouldn’t be changed too much. The musical arrangements by composer Tom Harriman have been pleasantly refreshed. The projections look more modern and sharper, such as in the bombing of Rotterdam, which Erik and his friends watch from the beach in the beautiful song Wolk in de verte. Some lyrics have been changed. The comical song Thee, in which Queen Wilhelmina (Henriëtte Tol) vents her frustrations in London, has been deleted.
More nuance
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Scriptwriter Edwin de Vries wanted to give the characters more nuances. We can see that in Wilhelmina and her attitude towards the Jewish population, and in her personal secretary François van ‘t Sant and his alleged double role as a spy for the Germans.
Two new songs have been added. For example, Ada (Dorien van Gent), who joined the SS, now sings about her motives in the ballad Ik kan niet meer terug (I can’t go back anymore). The song doesn’t add much, and not every supporting role necessarily has to have its own song. But it’s not disturbing either.
Joep Paddenburg as Erik Hazelhoff in ‘Soldier of Orange – The Musical’ Image Annemieke van der Togt
Choosing between right and wrong
With a new lick of paint, Soldaat van Oranje is still the impressive performance it already was. For three hours, the audience is drawn into the moral dilemmas of a group of students who deal with the Second World War in different ways. What is the right choice, what is the wrong choice? More than ever, we see that there are many shades of gray.
You notice it in the main character Erik, who in the strong performance of Joep Paddenburg is not so much a one-dimensional resistance hero, but above all an average Dutch boy full of anger and desperation. Erik wants to ‘do something’ and ends up in London with the queen. He is a main character with whom we can really sympathize.
Soldier of Orange
Musical
★★★★☆
By NEW Productions. Script Edwin de Vries, music Tom Harriman, lyrics Pamela Phillips Oland, direction Theu Boermans.
8/9, TheaterHangaar at Valkenburg Airport, Katwijk. Daily viewing for an indefinite period.
Soldaat van Oranje: The Iconic Dutch Musical Revamped for a New Era
After 14 successful years and 3.6 million visitors, the critically acclaimed Dutch musical Soldaat van Oranje has undergone a significant update, breathing new life into this remarkable production. Since its premiere in October 2010, Soldaat van Oranje has been wowing audiences at the TheaterHangaar in Katwijk with its innovative staging, impressive sets, and poignant storytelling [[3]].
A True Story of Resistance and Courage
Soldaat van Oranje is based on the true story of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, one of the greatest Dutch resistance warfighters during World War II. The musical follows the journey of Erik and his friends as they navigate the treacherous landscape of war, facing moral dilemmas and making difficult choices that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Innovations and Updates
The creative team behind Soldaat van Oranje has worked tirelessly to refresh the musical, introducing new content and form innovations to keep the production fresh and engaging. One of the most notable changes is the modernization of the projections, which now look sharper and more vivid, particularly in the bombing of Rotterdam scene. The musical arrangements by composer Tom Harriman have also been pleasantly updated, adding a new layer of depth to the performance [[1]].
More Nuance and Complexity
Scriptwriter Edwin de Vries aimed to give the characters more nuances, delving deeper into their personalities and motivations. This is particularly evident in the portrayal of Queen Wilhelmina and her attitude towards the Jewish population, as well as her personal secretary François van ‘t Sant and his alleged double role as a spy for the Germans.
New Songs and Insights
Two new songs have been added to the production, including the ballad “Ik kan niet meer terug” (I can’t go back anymore), sung by Ada (Dorien van Gent), who joined the SS. While the song doesn’t necessarily add a new dimension to the story, it provides further insight into the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
A Performance That Still Impresses
With its new updates and innovations, Soldaat van Oranje remains an impressive performance that draws the audience into the moral dilemmas of the Second World War. For three hours, the audience is transported to a time of great uncertainty, where the choices made by the characters have far-reaching consequences. The updated production still retains its unique charm, with the famous theatre hall spinning at exactly the same moment, creating a truly immersive experience [[2]].
Soldaat van Oranje is a must-see musical that continues to captivate audiences with its powerful storytelling, stunning visuals, and memorable performances. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the production, this revamped version is an opportunity to experience the magic of Soldaat van Oranje like never before.
Book Your Tickets Now!
Don’t miss your chance to experience Soldaat van Oranje at the TheaterHangaar in Katwijk. Book your tickets now and be a part of this unforgettable theatrical experience! [[1]]
References:
<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionReview-g652360-d3856142-Reviews-SoldaatvanOranjeDeMusical-KatwijkSouthHollandProvince.html”>[3]
Soldier of Orange musical
Soldaat van Oranje: The Iconic Dutch Musical Revamped for a New Era
Soldaat van Oranje, the musical about Englandvaarder Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, has been a phenomenal success since its premiere in October 2010, attracting 3.6 million visitors to the TheaterHangaar in Katwijk [[2]]. The innovative staging, which features a turntable that rotates 360 degrees along impressive sets, has been praised by audiences and critics alike. After 14 successful years, the creative team felt it was time for an update, and the renewed version premiered this summer.
More Nuance
Scriptwriter Edwin de Vries aimed to give the characters more nuances in the renewed version. This is evident in Wilhelmina’s attitude towards the Jewish population and her personal secretary François van ‘t Sant’s alleged double role as a spy for the Germans [[3]]. The added nuances bring more depth to the characters, making the performance even more engaging.
Musical Arrangements and Projections
The musical arrangements by composer Tom Harriman have been pleasantly refreshed, giving the performance a modern touch. The projections look sharper, particularly in the bombing of Rotterdam, which Erik and his friends watch from the beach in the beautiful song Wolk in de verte. Some lyrics have been changed, and the comical song Thee, in which Queen Wilhelmina vents her frustrations in London, has been deleted.
New Songs and Characters
Two new songs have been added to the performance, including the ballad Ik kan niet meer terug, sung by Ada, who joined the SS. While the song doesn’t add much to the story, it doesn’t disturb the flow of the performance either. The new songs and character developments enhance the overall experience, making the performance even more captivating.
Choosing between Right and Wrong
Soldaat van Oranje is a thought-provoking performance that explores the moral dilemmas of a group of students dealing with the Second World War in different ways. The 3-hour performance draws the audience into the characters’ struggles, raising questions about what is right and wrong in the face of war. The renewed version retains the essence of the original performance, making it still an impressive and unique theatre moment to experience.
About Soldaat van Oranje
Soldaat van Oranje is a musical based on the true story of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, a Dutch resistance fighter during World War II. The musical has been a huge success, becoming the most popular Dutch musical of all time [[1]]. The performance has been praised for its innovative staging and emotional portrayal of the characters’ experiences.
Conclusion
Soldaat van Oranje is still an impressive performance that has been enhanced with new elements, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in musical theatre, history, or the human experience. With its poignant story, memorable characters, and innovative staging, the renewed version is sure to captivate audiences for years to come.
References:
[1] https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoldaatvanOranje
[2] https://www.theater.nl/soldaat-van-oranje/
[3] https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoldaatvanOranje_(musical)
