Record-breaking Dutch theatre production Soldier of Orange – The Musical looks set to make its UK debut in late 2020.
Subject to planning permission the producers of the groundbreaking show aim to build an innovative new theatre featuring a 360 degree ‘surround set’ to house the production in London’s Royal Docks.
If the plans are approved, producers NEW Productions will start building their theatre by the end of this year with plans to open in the UK during the second half of 2020.
Famous for its pioneering use of ‘SceneAround’ staging, a revolutionary technology engineered for the production, Soldier of Orange – The Musical has been by over 2.8 million people in Holland since its opening in October 2010.
Based on the autobiography of Dutch resistance fighter and RAF war-time pilot, Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, Soldier of Orange – The Musical boasts a book by Edwin de Vries and music and lyrics by Tom Harriman and Pamela Phillips Oland.
Announcing the production’s UK debut, NEW Productions’ Fred Boot said: “With the Dutch production playing throughout 2019, we have explored new markets for this chapter of Second World War history for the past three years. London was the location of our Queen in exile during the war.
“The UK plays a significant role in our history and this Second World War story. Therefore, the UK has always had our priority and we are very pleased with this development for such a relevant location. The production and script are slightly adapted for an international audience, to ensure that it reflects the show as it has been embraced in Holland.
“We are looking forward to sharing this universal story of a group of friends, forced by war to make life-changing choices. It is a celebration of the time that the Allies came together to fight for our freedom and democracy.”
The first English production of the show will be adapted for the British stage by Jeremy Brock and will be directed by leading Dutch director Theu Boermans.
Performed in a converted hangar on a former military base just outside Amsterdam, the landmark production features a rotating auditorium in the centre of a venue seating 1,100 theatregoers. Each turn of the set reveals different scenes including a coastline, a palace and an outdoor scene featuring a real DC3 Dakota airplane.
The original production was presented in the Netherlands by New Productions and co-produced by award-winning Dutch theatre and film producer Robin de Levita.
Angela Thomas
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.