THE GOOD HOPE / DIEUNA DIAFFE IN THE NETHERLANDS
We are proud to present in September 2009 the Senegalese version of Op Hoop van Zegen/Dieuna Diaffe (The Good Hope) written by the Dutch author Herman Heijermans (1864-1924). It will be performed from Sept 4-6 in Amsterdam during the Fringe Festival and Sept 10-12 in The Hague at the Norfolk Evenemententerrein.
The famous line ‘The fish is dearly paid for’ stands for a very actual Senegalese situation. The parallel between the situation of the Dutch fishermen one hundred years ago and their Senegalese colleagues nowadays is to be found in the gruesome circumstances they work under. The Senegalese audience was in fact quite surprised it originally is a Dutch piece. “Was it a Dutch play? How odd. It really was about us.”
Op Hoop van Zegen/Dieuna Diaffe (The Good Hope) is an energetic performance in the Wolof language, which is spoken by the largest Senegalese population. The story tells us about the life of Yaye Cathy (Kniertje), who in the end loses both her sons to the sea. The tragic fate of Moudou and Madiama has been transformed into a Senegalese setting with dance and adaptations of Senegalese shanties.
In Holland a Dutch actress, who last season also played the role of Kniertje (Yaye Cathy) in the original Drama, will join the performance to make the show more understandable for Dutch people. However, the strong images and the musical power turn the performance into an understandable play for everybody.
The Senegalese show was performed in many places along the coast of Senegal. Approximately 14.000 thousand people attended the show.
Amsterdam:
Tolhuistuin
Buiksloterweg 5, 1031 CC Amsterdam
Sept 4 at 19.00h
Sept 5 and 6 at 14.00h
Tickets:
- through the website of the Fringefestival: www.amsterdamfringefestival.nl
- From August 6 at the central ticket office of the Dutch Theatre Festival (Nederlands Theater Festival) in the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam (020-5237798).
- From the 26th of August at the Fringe ticket office in Theater Bellevue (020-5305301).
- On the performance day at the ticket office of Tolhuistuin, from one hour before the start of the show.
- Entrance fee €10,-.
The Hague:
Norfolk Evenemententerrein,
Kranenburgweg 211, 2583 ER Den Haag
Sept 10,11 and 12 at 19.30h
Tickets:
- through the Koninklijke Schouwburg: Online via www.ks.nl.
- Reservations by telephone: 0900-3456789.
- From 17th of August Monday till Sunday 14h-18h. Koninklijke Schouwburg, Korte Voorhout 3, Den Haag.
- During the summer recess at Haags Uitbureau (0900-8282999).
- On the day itself at the ticketoffice of the Norfolkterrein from 18.30h.
- Entrance fee: € 12,50; CJP € 10,-
Text: Herman Heijermans // Direction and adaptation: Anna Rottier // Co-direction: Pape Samba Sow // Final direction: Leoni Jansen // Artistic advice: Jean-Pierre Leurs // Costumes: Oumou Sy// Scenery design: Bartel Meyburg // Actors: Marisa van Eyle, Marie Madeleine Diallo, Babacar Sédikhe Faye, Sérigne Ousmane Gaye, Cheikh Bamba Beye, Gnagna Ndiaye, Thioro Aya Fall // Dancers: Thierno dit Hélico Thiam, Abdoulaye Seck, Ndèye Mané Beye, Khady Ndiaye // Musicians: Aly N’Diaye Rose, Khadim Niang, Talla Nguer, Moussa Cissokho // Initiative: Maaike Cotterink // Production manager: Sabine de Tonnac // Producer: Theatre Embassy
