After the exhausting run of New Crusoe, changing venue constantly, I still had to do A Christmas Carol with the lovely Ashley Ramsden. We had a great time with this ever sold out show, in our new venue the Chapel of Barth, next door to the Hofje van Wouw.
Then just before our hibernation started we received word via the ever awake Sharyn van Ees (editor of DenHaag.com) that Alderman Marieke Bolle and the members of the College of The Hague had decided to award us E 15 000 to produce more English-language theatre for The Hague! So hurrah! It took a while before this token of appreciation sunk in and when in January finally the official announcement arrived, we really could believe our luck.
Ellis van Maarseveen of TUSK Theatre Company and me sat down to discuss what we were going to do. It would mean another production on an incredibly small budget, as professional theatre making is so expensive with all the people that are involved in it, as well as the technical requirements etc etc.
The play was easily found as we had already decided to do The Auction by Dutch playwright Tineke Endema, a long time before. We waited two years to give it the go-ahead. Ellis started the translation work immediately of this great comedy for two women. Originally it was performed by Ellis and Sheila Lever at the Plantsoentheater in Leiden – a lovely small theatre, which has a very high standard program, do google it!
As time moved on, we urgently had to find a space to perform in. We found a temporary home at Korte Voorhout 20, where we are going to perform in the former garage. Hence THE GARAGE THEATRE !!! An abfab space with heaps of possibilities.
The next great news was that Emmeline Prior was prepared to leave her job at the Globe Theatre to come over to Holland to perform in this great new play. Ricky, Zac and Vassilis, the former crew of New Crusoe all signed on again, so the basic team is ready to roll.
Everybody has been made awfully aware of the even tighter budget than with New Crusoe but everybody was looking forward to the challenge and to have a nice long run during the whole month of March – a privilege rarely found possible for us, so all in all the stars shine bright!
TUSK and STET websites are being updated and this blog has opened again, ready for you to comment on.
Please put in your diaries:
Previews : 6 March (20.15) & 7 March (15.00)
PAY AS YOU LIKE… on the door. Reserve your seats at info@theenglishtheatre.nl
OPENING NIGHT 8 March (20.15) International Women’s Day so a Women Only night!
RESERVATIONS : The English Theatre’s Ticketshop
https://tickets.theenglishtheatre.net/webshop3/stet.html
To be continued, goodnight for now,
Elske
