‘Vintage! Renewables!Brand new employee Jeff (Gerold Guthman) can already see the hip slogans with which he wants to ‘upgrade’ Thrift Shop De Hoop. The family business, under the inspiring leadership of Thea de Hoop (Ottolien Boeschoten), must keep up with the times and become profitable, according to the former sales manager. All employees, like the huge collection of second-hand cars, could use some branding, he shouts. In doing so, Jeff races past the stories behind and backpacks of things, people, dreams and possibilities.
While the audience eats another stew, it quickly becomes clear where the sympathy lies in the endearing storyline. The overwhelming power of cycle however, lies mainly in the disarming synergy within the colorful group of players of Vis à Vis Adventures and the insanely inventive design of decor and costumes.
A team of designers has transformed the garage shed on its own property in Almere into a grand Theater of Circularity, using only discarded items. You will be ashamed when you hear that the gigantic junk shop is built from stuff from one thrift store; Rataplan in Almere was not able to process this mountain during the corona crisis. Cuddly toys, cutlery, LPs, CDs, electronics, white goods, bicycle wheels – everything can be found in cycle a creative repurposing.
The same goes for the cleverly interwoven life stories of the talented players. Whether that is the flight story of the energetic theater student Yazan Al-Hakim from Syria or the adoption background of the Peruvian music theater student Christopher van der Meer. Sjoerd Fleur, actor with Down syndrome, also converts his musical dream into a beautiful act.
Director Rutger Buiter and assistant director Nita Kersten have created a wonderful ode to sustainable handling of people and objects. And the profit? It is in valuable benevolence.
cycle
Theater
By Vis à Vis Adventures. Directed by Rutger Buiter.
10/2, on location in Almere. There until 12/3 and 21/4 to 30/4.