The auditorium of a high school is packed. Not for a first grade musical with teenagers, but with about a hundred actors, musicians, dancers and technicians. Here they practice one last time for the big performances in the Atlas theater.
These performances are on the occasion of the ninety anniversary of a zoo in Emmen. Founded in 1935 as a Noorder zoo, located in the center of Emmen. Renamed in 2010 as Emmen Zoo and after a move in 2016 known as Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen.
“It is a very beautiful subject that is important to all Emmen residents,” says producer Alex Niemeijer. “We went to Wildlands and said: ‘We can make a show for you to conclude ninety years of the zoo’.”
In the story of the musical, Anne, played by Felien Venema, walks through the park with her grandfather one last time. She finds a lost meerkat and then follows a tough adventure, framed by music and dance. The play is directed by Rudy Niemeijer. “We looked at the history of the old and the new park and thought about which story fits exactly.”
The performances are on December 2 and 3. The rehearsals are going well and that is reassuring for the twelve-year-old leading actress Felien. “I really enjoy it. At first I thought it was a bit exciting, but now that I’m doing it I really enjoy it.”