Micha Wertheim Festival

For many years now, Micha Wertheim has given tips in his irregular mailing list ‘opnieuwsbrief’ (on-newsletter) about shows, books, exhibitions, films and other things he believes deserve our attention. Now, there’s a full-scale festival of theatre productions from the Netherlands and abroad, as well as films, debate and dance. 

Curious about what Volker Gerling, Noam Shuster-Eliassi, Mark Thomas, Hanina Ajarai and Fahima Ettaher are creating? Want to know why Micha thinks you should come and listen to Charlie Kaufman and Iggy Pop, and watch In Praise of Nothing and Paco? Fancy joining in a Gaga dance workshop? Then come the the one and only Micha Wertheim Festival!

Why a festival? Micha Wertheim answers this question himself:

“When Frascati told me that productions in their theatre are usually accompanied by sidebar programming, I decided that this should be dedicated to artists who have inspired me as a theatre-maker. Lots of names I’d love to present to my audience immediately sprung to mind.

Then Bunker Theaterzaken, who’ve represented me from day one, generously agreed to organise and finance this project with me and the whole thing really started to snowball. Before I knew it, we had a whole programme.

So now, in cooperation with Frascati, here it is: The Very First Micha Wertheim Festival.

Five days of film, debate, dance and of course theatre by artists who’ve inspired me and whose work I want to share with absolutely everyone.”

Nergens Anders

"The Micha Wertheim Festival will take place the same week as my own almost sold-out show Nergens Anders (Nowhere Else) is playing in Frascati. Nergens Anders is part four of my trilogy Ergens Anders (Somewhere Else), Iemand Anders (Someone Else), Niemand Anders (No One Else), and now Nergens Anders (Nowhere Else). Four productions that were just a bit different from the kind of comedy/cabaret shows people normally expect from me. Productions in small venues, with the audience always being an integral part of the show.

My starting point in programming this festival is a selection of work that has inspired me in relation to this way of making theatre.”

Opnieuwsbrief

Below you can see the program specially curated for the festival. Want to receive cultural tips from Micha throughout the year? Sign up for his 'opnieuwsbrief'.

Program

Three makers who are not involved, but who would have fitted right in

Theater Artemis

“Ever since my children started going to the theatre, we’ve not missed a single show by Artemis. Not only because we don’t want to miss out, but also because their artistic director, Jetse Batelaan, has made a lot of productions that are related to what I make.

For example, there was the production that was completely back-to-front – the actors literally walked backwards. And when in Ergens Anders I gave audience members instructions by headphones, everyone told me that Artemis had done that too. Unfortunately, I hadn’t seen that one.

More than once now, Jetse has lent me and Gijsbert van der Wal (with whom I’m creating all these productions) the keys to their rehearsal space, so we could work there. Fortunately, it’s very easy to go to an Artemis show: they play all over the country, and you don’t need to be a child to appreciate what they do.”

DE HOE

“They used to be called Compagnie de KOE (the COW vs the HOW). I go see everything they do – and it’s always a pleasure. If there is one company that makes what I’d love to make, they are it.

It’d be a bit odd to invite them to take part in the festival, as they’re touring the country. In Amsterdam, they often perform in Flemish Arts Centre De Brakke Grond, as they’re officially Flemish. Go see them!”

Daniel Kitson

“If there’s one comedian whose work I’ve been closely following for years, it’s Daniel Kitson. He started out as a stand-up comedian, but soon decided that he wanted to change this up with monologues that are not necessarily comedy.

You won’t find any of his stuff on YouTube, although he’s recently started working on a site where you can see his work. Ergens Anders, Iemand Anders, Niemand Anders and Nergens Anders are all certainly related to what he makes.

One time I did manage to get Daniel over to the Netherlands and who knows, maybe one day I’ll do it again. But if you want to see him in action, you’re better off going to England. He also has a very cheerful mailing list in which he regularly announces new, always innovative and highly entertaining shows, and they always sell out really fast.

Actually, I got the idea to start a mailing list from him too.”