T H E D U T C H O N T O U R - Theater Instituut Nederland

Youth theatre is a place where
children and adults are confronted
with both the large and small
questions of life
or aggression. The reinterpretation of classic scripts represented a prelude to a personal style of
writing for youth theatre. Within the framework defined by these stories, the actors were able
to experiment with the dramaturgy, the narrative style and the use of language for young audiences.
The range is now as extensive as in youth literature, which was in turn also a huge source
of inspiration.
A relatively new instrument in this respect is the use of scripts that reflect children’s lives in a
contemporary family setting. Lives that include biological parents, step-parents, and brothers
and sisters that can also be half-brothers and sisters or step-brothers and sisters.
The habit of telling logical and linear stories to children has largely been abandoned in youth
theatre. Children appear to be very susceptible to performances that, like dreams, are full of
imaginative and leaping associations. In recent times, the repertoire has been set in a picturesque
and daring way. Theatre makers allow themselves to be inspired by literature, poetry,
music, dance, cabaret and puppetry, and they experiment with all sorts of performance styles.
The design is exuberant and mirrors the styles in the visual arts.
The development of the national Jeugdtheaterfestival (Youth Theatre Festival) into the children’s
arts festival Tweetakt is exemplary for the recent history of youth theatre. It began in 1984 as a
festival of drama, music-theatre and puppetry. Later, it grew into an experimental arts festival
which, in addition to theatre, presented dance, music and film for children. In 2007 it had grown
into a festival covering the entire gamut of arts disciplines for the young, ranging from interactive
multi-media theatre to a ‘Little Biennale’ with visual art for children.
A look at the future
The future of youth theatre is looking good. For many years, people worried about where the
next generation of youth theatre-makers would come from, but the tide has now turned and we
are seeing a growing group of new and exciting theatre-makers. These youthful producers are
not simply following in the footsteps of their predecessors; they are following their own hearts.
They are paving a wonderful, theatrical path out through a city or creating a show full
of water-creatures in a spherical, floating theatre. They design a Mensenmuseum/People Museum
or produce a Voorstelling waarin hopelijk niets gebeurt/Performance in which hopefully. And they
do not envisage a future dominated by an eternal bond with young audiences. To them, it is
only natural to switch between adults and children. This concept is in line with that of numerous
experienced theatre-makers who have been making this cross-over for many years. More and
more companies catering to both types of audience are starting to emerge. Huis aan de Amstel
is now producing shows for adults as well as youth theatre. Wederzijds, which specialises in
shows for the classroom and the gym, also produces target group theatre about civil servants,
the army or healthcare institutions. And in much the same way, het Onafhankelijk Toneel or
Toneelgroep Amsterdam also creates youth theatre productions.
The boundaries between theatre for children and theatre for adults are blurring. Youth theatre
performances are no less enjoyable for parents than for children, and alternatively, young people
readily go to see adult theatre. In the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, theatrical concerts for
children and youngsters are performed. The large festivals reflect this trend and they often have
a ‘children’s department’ in addition to their regular repertoire.
Companies, theatres, concert halls and festivals increasingly programme for the young, the old
and the entire family and some youth theatre makers even entertain the idea of making performances
for an adult audience about the life and experience of children. A child’s outlook is, after
all, an inspiration for young and old alike.
Anita Twaalfhoven
56 The Dutch on tour Youth theatre
The Dutch on tour Youth theatre
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