Tilly Maessen from Maastricht passed away on Sunday at the age of 68.
She gained regional fame in the 1980s as a member of the cabaret group Rommedoe. Maessen made various popular programs for Omroep Limburg and L1 (1993-2005), such as May I have this dance?† the Doevetil and the Medammecour†
Cabaret group
Rommedoe was immensely popular in Limburg. At the time, the cabaret group performed in all Limburg halls with their – certainly for that time – unprecedented critical and committed cabaret. Everything in Maastricht dialect. Besides Maessen, Irma van Hoof, Thei Dols, Guus Jacobs and Wim Giessen were part of the group. Through the ROZ, predecessor of L1, the group became widely known throughout the province.
Playing with audience
For a long time Maessen had a live program on the radio every Monday morning, which invariably started with the song Waltzing Matilda† Listeners from all over the province visited the studio in Maastricht to attend. Interspersed with humor she ‘played’ with the audience every week.
carnival revue
About 20 years ago, Maessen was back on the shelves in the Walloon Medammecouras café manageress May Kraaktuut. The Medammecour was an alternative carnival revue. After a few successful years, that initiative stopped. In 2016, the Medammecour revived, but Maessen was no longer involved. She had been ill for many years and was unable to perform as a result.
Special broadcast
As part of the 75th anniversary of the regional broadcaster, Tom Doesborg visited Maessen last year to reminisce. The broadcast is here to watch.