Kantjil and the tiger
Musical youth performance about a hidden Indian family history
A grandmother with one last wish. Her brave granddaughter Indra. And the clever little dwarf Kantjil, who is not tall but has the black belt. Travel with Indra and Kantjil on their quest for the past: epic, vulnerable, exciting, confrontational and with a good dose of Indian humor. A presentation of the Stagecraft, Oorkaan and Studio Figur.
Indra's grandmother Billy is ill. In her small living room, the whole family waits to say goodbye to her. But then Grandma turns out to have a last wish that turns everything upside down. Young Indra rushes to her aid and before she knows it, she tumbles into a hidden history.
Indra meets sidekick Kantjil, a magical Javanese dwarf with the black belt. Together they piece together the puzzle of the past. Can you be too old to give a place to the past? Or too young for your own family's history?
Every year, the Toneelmakerij in collaboration with another (music) theater company, a large-venue production for the whole family. After the success of The Magic Flute, Hans and Gretel, As You Like It, 1000+1 Night and Giselle, they are working with our full Oorkaan Ensemble , with cellist Jan van der Plas, and five top actors. A poetic musical theater performance for everyone aged eight and up.
Jury Report on Silver Cricket winner 1000+1 night (large venue performance 2023) "With its dynamic characters, fast-paced changes and sharp language, the performance manages to create an experience where storytelling puts you in another universe while bringing you closer to yourself. Thanks in part to the amazing cast and crew, this loving fairy tale comes full circle and hits you right in the heart."
Premiere: Oct. 19 at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA). This will be followed by a tour throughout the Netherlands.
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Content notes
Themes in the show include the death of Grandma Billy and our colonial past. Grandma's family history includes colonial and war violence. This is portrayed in a poetic way: of the war violence, you see cardboard-cut, black-and-white projections on a shadow wall. On the theme of death,> it is told at the end of the performance that Grandma passed away peacefully.
On stage and behind the scenes
On the stage
Bo Bojoh, Bodil de la Parra, Veysel Dzhesur, Susannah El Mecky, Isabelle Houdtzagers, Michele Mazzini, Jan van der Plas, Robbrecht Van Cauwenberghe, Eddie B. Wahr, Michela Zanoni
Behind the scenes
Text Paulien Geerlings and Melissa Knollenburg
Director Paul Knieriem
Directional Assistance Raija Gomez Iglesias
Dramaturgy Nina van Tongeren
Music dramaturgy Caecilia Thunnissen, Robbrecht Van Cauwenberghe
Composition Michele Mazzini, Frieda Gustavs and Jordy Sanger
Sound Design Maurice Thiel
Lighting Design Gé Wegman
Programming light Mart Hielema
Costume Design Jorine van Beek & Dymph Boss
Scenography Yannick Verweij mmv Studio Figur (dolls)
Set Construction Man with the hammer
Technology Sophie de Hoop - internship hand, Hugo van der Veldt - 1st inspector, Maurice Thiel - sound, Mart Hielama - light
Production Eva van Kerkhof
Education Maaike-Merel van Baarzel, Lot Houtepen, Martien Langman
Marketing Selman Aqiqi, Judith Evens, Julia de Koning, Lonneke Laurant, Irit Yosef
Tour Manager Marleen Koens, Jip Schutte
Publicity image Jan Hoek
"Every year the Toneelmakerij creates a modern theatrical version inspired by a classic story, in this case Kantjil en de tijger. The great thing about Oorkaan's musicians is that they are real theater animals. Like no other they can bring an exciting story musically to life. In this performance they are inspired by the rich Indonesian musical tradition."Director Paul Knierim
About the Oorkaan Ensemble
The Amsterdam-based Oorkaan Ensemble has been bringing an explosion of color and musical theatricality to major Dutch and European venues since 2021, with a unique line-up of harp, (bass) clarinet, bajan and percussion. Their adventurous approach includes groundbreaking arrangements of classical masterpieces, new compositions and music from diverse cultures. They have played at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, Konzerthaus Wien and Bozar Brussels, among others, and made their debut at the Royal Concertgebouw in 2024. Their debut album Shimmering (2023) received rave reviews; The Volkskrant wrote, "The colors burst from their very first recording!"
Robbrecht Van Cauwenberghe (bajan) on Kantjil and the tiger: “We bring our knowledge and experience from our production around Indonesian music Gong and the four noses. In this we have been studying the Gamelan and learning to play some of these wonderful instruments. That which cannot be told in words, we will make heard and felt in music.”
The writers on Kantjil and the tiger
Paulien Geerlings: “Some 2 million people with Indonesian roots live in the Netherlands, scattered throughout the country. They carry with them, now into their fourth generation, the consequences of 350 years of colonial history. There are still so many stories to tell about this from all sorts of perspectives. This is necessary to give the past a place and to better understand the present. This is one of those stories. I look forward to writing it with Melissa as a grand narrative befitting the great hall: epic, vulnerable, exciting, confrontational and with a good dose of Indian humor."
Melissa Knollenburg: "As a third generation, I grew up with many questions about my Javanese grandmother's past. When I was six, I was given a booklet about the stories of Kantjil. Reading the stories about the little dwarf with my grandmother was the way for me to start a conversation about our connection to Indonesia. I always felt that a part of my grandmother was left behind in Java. In the texts I write now, I still search for that part of her. It's not fully redeemable, but I'm getting closer and closer.”
Upcoming concerts
8
Jun
2:45 p.m.,
Leidse Hofjes Festival, Sint-Maartenshof Leiden
8
Jun
4:15 pm,
Leidse Hofjes Festival, Sint-Maartenshof Leiden
8
Jun
1:00 PM,
Leidse Hofjes Festival, Sint-Maartenshof Leiden
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