The preparations for Kaeskoppenstad are in full swing. After two canceled editions due to the corona crisis, the historic event in the center of Alkmaar can be organized again. More than 300 extras take visitors to the Alkmaar of 1573. And all those plague victims, orphans, firefighters and musicians had to work this weekend to be well prepared in the first weekend of June.
In the Overdie community center, director Marijke Wiersma is busy teaching the extras how to best fulfill their role during the historical spectacle. The workshop first starts with a warm-up game, after which the extras talk to each other and they have to improvise. “I really like it, you try to learn to speak the same language with each other in a short time. For me this is the icing on the cake, all extras do this voluntarily, so the motivation is good.”
Gatekeeper Dick
And one of those extras is Dick Groen from Alkmaar, who has been playing gatekeeper for years. Due to the corona crisis, he has not played for two years. “It’s really great that we can play again. In fact, it’s a kind of addiction. The reactions of the visitors are very nice, they also want to take a picture with you and you can play with them. You also notice that the extras in two Growing more and more into their role over the days, which is very nice to see.”
For Yuna Pama (11) and Maud Pijnacker (11) from Alkmaar it is the first time that they participate in Kaeskoppenstad. Maud got the idea to sign up when she saw her girl next door perform at one of the previous editions. Now they can work as flower girls.
It was still a bit difficult to switch to the time of the Middle Ages as shown in the video below. (text continues)
Extras Kaeskoppenstad busy rehearsing: “It’s a kind of addiction” – NH Nieuws
And to dress all those extras nicely, the ladies of the Tailors Guild 1573 are busy making costumes. “It is a mega job,” says Karin Toorenburg. “We already have a lot of costumes because Kaeskoppenstad has been around for a number of years. We started with fairly simple costumes and now we can make really complete outfits and that is a lot more fun for us.”
Great weekend
All in all it is a lot of work, but according to Toorenburg it is more than worth it. “Of course you have to deal with time pressure, but you do appreciate your work because when you see everyone in their costume in a moment, you are very proud. If the sun is also shining nicely, you really have a great weekend.”
Going on June 4 and 5 Kaeskoppenstad starting. A ticket for adults costs 4 euros, for children under 12 1.50 euros With regard to registrations, things are going in the right direction, according to the organization: “We can still use extras and volunteers, but the roles are starting to fill up well. Specifically, we could use some extra people for the dealers, shoe shiners and barrel rollers.”
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