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Post by aksis on Apr 3, 2019 12:30:57 GMT
The most succesful Dutch musical announced today they found a location in London to build the theatre they need for this show. www.soldaatvanoranje.nl/londenSoldier of Orange tells the story of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, a student during the German occupation in the Netherlands. Confronted with the choice to fight or flight he and his friends have to decide what they want. The story is based on a book written by Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema and has been made into movie in 1977. The show premiered on the 30th of October 2010 in the Netherlands and is the longest running production. Jeremy Brock is added to the original production team to help with the translation of the script. At the end of 2019 they will start building the theatre on the Royal Docks. The opening is currently planned for autumn 2020. Am very curious how this show will be in English and what the audience will think of it. |
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Post by viserys on Apr 3, 2019 13:00:00 GMT
Haha, I was just wondering whether to open a thread for this. English-language website is here: www.soldieroforange.com/While I thought it was terrific in Katwijk, I just don't think it will have the same kind of resonance for a British audience and the gimmicky rotating auditorium alone (great as it was) won't shift tickets. And what of the location in the Docklands?! I wish the show well, but I think the whole idea is a bit bonkers. |
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Post by aksis on Apr 3, 2019 13:39:17 GMT
I understand the location. They need to build the stage and theater and will have to store a plane somewhere. I guess that was the most convenient spot they could find.
I do not think it is a good spot to attract audiences though.
I am very curious how the audiences will react. The experience of the theatre setting does a lot for this musical and I do tell people who ask me if they can go to this show even if they do not like musical much that the experience alone is worth it. But I am not sure either if this show will work outside the Netherlands.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2019 13:48:19 GMT
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Post by aksis on Apr 3, 2019 13:50:25 GMT
Hope they've got good soundproofing! Some plane noise will add to the experience 😉 |
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Post by viserys on Apr 3, 2019 14:03:24 GMT
I think the weird location is due to the fact that they use a real plane for the last scene, so the plane has to be wheeled in from somewhere... City Airport will be perfect. |
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Post by Mark on Apr 3, 2019 14:06:48 GMT
It looks rather epic!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2019 14:18:03 GMT
Just had a look at the location in the Netherlands and that really is in the middle of nowhere! I guess they have to make this a real destination event.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2019 14:47:09 GMT
So what happens if you need a wee half way through?
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Post by aksis on Apr 3, 2019 14:55:24 GMT
So what happens if you need a wee half way through? You are allowed to leave the auditorium but not allowed to return. |
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Post by Dave25 on Apr 3, 2019 15:03:23 GMT
I think its success is fully based on the country's chauvinism. The events are about Dutch history, stories people heard from their grandparents and cities such as Rotterdam and Scheveningen.
Yes, the idea of the big stage and the audience turning around is fun and people tend to like some technical gadgets, but to be honest, the writing of the story, the pacing, the characters and the music are all very weak. It is a big group of people running around constantly, shouting "what do we do" "what choices do we make in war"? Often they just stand in a line singing "what do we do" or "if we don't do anything, who does", in that style. There are too many characters to be able to care for one. Some characters die, of which I had no idea who they are. In the 2nd act, some characters start a solo song, again, no idea who they are or why we should care for them or why they get a song. The writing is bad, some scenes or songs are meant to be funny (a whole song right before the end about the queen not liking tea) and the music is extremely generic, empty and forgettable.
I think it would be much better to make a similar show about British history, with fewer characters and actual good writing and music.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2019 15:13:32 GMT
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Post by paddy72 on Apr 3, 2019 15:38:02 GMT
Really clever idea to put this by City Airport. As only a 50 min hope to Schiphol. I reckon it will sell well as part of euro visitor weekend breaks. Bit like Madame Tussaud’s. It’s very middle of the road Dutch event time stuff which I mean in a very positive way as you come away thinking only in Nederland would you sit on revolve in a shed on an old airfield for an emotional ride with a 1000 people you’ve never met before. It has that streak of Dutch off kilter creativity that gave us Big Brother and The Toppers. I can’t see Brit theatre lovies thinking much of it however. I found the music straight out of the 80s Mega musical vogue but the story is dramatic and it will be interesting to see if the play up the Brit angle more.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2019 15:51:34 GMT
So what happens if you need a wee half way through? It's not a problem - the rotating auditorium means it will hit the people further along the row. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2019 16:23:19 GMT
Faboo! I thought 'Soldaat van Oranje' was absolutely thrilling. It's really quite the spectacle. Queen Maxima (then Princess Maxima) was in on the night I saw it. She loved it!
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Post by learfan on Apr 3, 2019 17:04:44 GMT
I thought it was a late April fools joke when i saw the announcement! I mean seriously, the whole thing sounds madder than something that is very mad.
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Post by latefortheoverture on Apr 3, 2019 17:50:59 GMT
Certainly looks incredible- will be interested to see how this lands with people over here.
I think I'll definitely try to catch it if it manages to come over here.
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Post by MusicalTalk on Apr 3, 2019 17:59:25 GMT
Nice to see a Walt Disney invention has made it into the "mainstream". A dutch friend alerted me of this.
I do worry about the location - but it's exciting...
If this fails - at least we have a permanent home for Lord of the Rings!
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Post by mrbarnaby on Apr 3, 2019 21:22:50 GMT
This looks amazing!! Count me in
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Post by duncan on Apr 4, 2019 7:31:16 GMT
Great film, not so sure I want to see a musical version. Although the toilet scene would be interesting on stage.
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Post by viserys on Apr 4, 2019 7:45:15 GMT
According to an interview with the producer the show will be shortened a bit and they'll add Winston Churchill as a character for more local flair. He is also quoted as saying that he thinks the show will have universal appeal just like Les Miserables doesn't only speak to French people. Which is true, but Les Mis has a terrific score, while SvO has perhaps 2-3 moderately decent songs  |
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Post by mrdanvers on Apr 4, 2019 14:51:15 GMT
Seen it, what a fantastic weekend out that was. Count me in!
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Post by amp09 on Apr 4, 2019 22:11:48 GMT
Sounds intriguing.
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Post by westlondon on Apr 5, 2019 11:14:17 GMT
Very exciting! I just hope the writers haven’t forgotten that the audience won’t give a damn about the rotating auditorium if the book and songs aren’t good enough...
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Post by lynette on May 16, 2019 21:06:33 GMT
What is this? Please enlighten me.
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