Georgina Verbaan is among the nominees for a Theo d’Or. It is the first time that the actress, who already has two Golden Calves to her name, has a chance to win the most important acting prize in theater. The jury calls Georgina Verbaan “one of the most versatile actresses of her generation”, who plays with “her superficial soap image” and now proves “to have perfect stage technique”. She has been nominated for her supporting role in Millennial | Peace from Theater Oostpool. Verbaan is one of the twelve makers who were chosen for their acting performances last season.
There are Theo d’Ors in three categories: the most impressive acting performance in a supporting role, the most impressive acting performance in a contributing role and the most groundbreaking stage performance. The choice was made by the Association of Theater and Concert Hall Directors (VSCD) and the Theater Jury of the Netherlands Theater Festival (NTF).
Nominations Theo d’Or Leading role
Nominated for their leading roles are Florian Myjer (in his solo The Actor from Oh Deer), Jatou Sumbunu for her monologue Dachshund from Bellevue Producties), Keja Klaasje Kwestro (for her monologue F*ck Lolita at Het Zuidelijk Toneel) and Manoushka Zeegelaar Breeveld (for her role in Mother of Europe from Orkater).
Florian Myjer
Photo Anne van Zantwijk
Jatou Sumbunu in ‘Dachshund’.
Photo Sanne Peper
‘Mother of Europe’, with Selin Akkulak (left) and Manoushka Zeegelaar Breeveld.
Photo Isaac Owusu
According to the jury, Myjer shows “what an exceptional actor he is. On his own he conjures up a complete world, purely with play, imagination and precision.” Jury member Han van Wieringen, co-author of the text of this performance, “did not agree” with this nomination, the festival said. About Sumbunu, the jury says that she plays her role “lively and bouncy”, while “underneath those youthful feelings constant anger, pain and gloom” shine through. Kwestro receives the highest praise: “Rarely has the portrayal of a character made as much of an impression as that of Keja Klaasje Kwestro in F*ck Lolita.” That is because of “her originality, courage and technical virtuosity, and the nuance in her psychological interpretation.” Seaguer Breeveld “shines in her role” and she “brings power to tenderness, desperation to confrontation” in a clever way.
Kwestro was already nominated ten years ago for a Colombina (for best supporting actress) and for a Musical Award for female lead. For the other three it is their first nomination.
Nominations Theo d’Or Supporting role
Two actors have been nominated for the supporting roles Millennial | Peace: in addition to Georgina Verbaan, also Bram Suijker. There are also nominations for Ella Kamerbeek (for her role in Bitch from Club Lam) and Samantha Cherish Wielkens (for her role in Black Joyagain from Theater Oostpool).
Georgina Verbaan in the performance ‘Millennial I Peace’ by Theater Oostpool.
Photo Bart Grietens
Bram Suijker (left) in Millennial I Peace from Theater Oostpool.
Photo Bart Grietens
Samantha Cheris Wielkens in ‘Black Joy’.
Photo Lowiegraphy
The jury says about Bram Suijker: “With his gentle, non-judgmental and loving play, he plays three roles, each of which is distinctly layered. Bram Suijker plays at the height of his abilities.” The jury says about Verbaan that she acts “modestly, subtly and minimally”, “and yet, with her attitude and presence, she commands attention throughout the room.” She gives the piece “a rare deep expressiveness on her own.” Cherish Wielkens “shows an impressive range of emotions, ranging from anger to humor and seriousness” and her characters and physical stage presence are “comical”. Ella Kamerbeek contributes Bitch “a vulnerability and melancholy within that provide breath and balance” and she shows “great versatility, from absurdist humor to intimate tragedy.”
Suijker is the most distinguished person in this field. He already won the Louis d’Or (the award that merged with the Theo d’Or) for best male lead in 2022, and was also nominated for a Theo d’Or in the leading role category in 2024. He was also nominated for a supporting role in 2019 (the prize was then still called Arlecchino).
Nominations Theo d’Or Groundbreaking stage performance
Nominated for a groundbreaking stage performance are: Sue-Ann Bel Bitemarks on her tongue at Theater Rotterdam, Sarah Janneh for Brabo Leone at NITE, Jacobien Elffers & the Superdrum Superdrum from De Veenfabriek, and a company: De Hoe, for their performance The Sit Comeback.
Scene from ‘Superdrum’ by De Veenfabriek.
Photo Isabelle la Poutre
Sue-Ann Bel with ‘Bitemarks on her tongue’.
Photo Isaac Owusu
De Hoe with ‘The Sitcomeback’.
Photo Koen Broos
Image from the performance ‘Brabo Leone’.
Photo Luciano Enchanted
The jury calls Bitemarks van Bel “crushing” and praises her “sharp physical performance and flawless command of the text”: “She seemingly effortlessly navigates between playfulness and an underlayer of pain.” Brabo Leone van Janneh is impressive as “a combination of artistic urgency, formal research and emotional honesty”. When nominating De Hoe, the jury recalls how “amazing” their performance will be in 2024. Opening Night and in 2025 their The Sitcom all were, prior to The Sit Comeback this year. With the conclusion: “The ensemble, in the disorienting and very spirited De Hoe style, continues to expand the possibilities of the craft, and has continued to innovate and push boundaries since its inception.” It is remarkable that in addition to actress Jacobien Elffers, the installation Superdrum has also been nominated, and not the creator of the installation, John van Oostrum. The jury explains this as follows: “The installation is its own entity with which the actor plays together and that is what was groundbreaking on stage.” In addition, “the credible and highly skilled playing of Jacobien Elffers is an important factor in the success of this work.”
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