Richie Ramautarsing is a household name in Tilburg with his shaved ice. Next year he will star in the Tilburg revue: the largest, most ambitious theater project ever in Tilburg. “Crazy, unbelievable,” says Ritchie. The plans for the spectacle were announced on Friday afternoon.
“I’m going to make it really stupid,” Ritchie laughs. “With my stupid cart.” He travels through the streets of Tilburg with his colorful cart with music. “We used to always do stupid things. Mischief, pranks on the street. Hence that name. And now we’re doing something stupid right for once.”
He sells Surinamese shaved ice: “You shave off a block of ice. You can add coconut, pineapple, mango, you name it. Add water or milk, insert a straw and the children can enjoy it.”
On the scooter
Richie was born and raised in the Reeshof district of Tilburg. When the makers of the Tilburg revue went looking for inspiration, they came across Richie with his cart and saw how he makes contact with children. He was spotted by director Vincent van den Elshout: “I traveled through the city on a scooter for four months, looking for inspiration. And then I met Ritchie.”
‘Our city’ is the title of the review. A large stand is being built for the Tilburg theater, with room for two thousand people. The review also marks the opening of the new City Forum. Two hundred people participate in the performance. A large number of amateurs, including Richie, who are guided by professionals such as Van den Elshout.
Guus Meeuwis
The music is composed by Jan-Willem Rozenboom. Rozenboom is known as the musical man behind Guus Meeuwis and he also made a CD with works by Bach. And now a review. The first song is already finished; a nostalgic piece in which a mother reflects on the city that she must pass on to her children: “This city sounds like music, you are the conductor. So be proud that you are a pitcher.”
The song can be heard at the presentation with only Rozeboom behind the piano, and next September it will be performed by a large orchestra. That orchestra sits under a large umbrella, because that is the common thread in the show: through an umbrella you meet all kinds of striking Tilburg residents, who give an idea of the city that Tilburg is today.
A performance made with amateurs, supported by professional players. “Tilburg professional players too,” adds director Van den Elshout. “Because the more Tilburg residents participate, the more will want to come and watch.”