In the spacious West Frisian countryside, the family Waaier has been farming on fertile ancestral soil for generations. The family identifies closely with each other, the land and the livestock. The audience is invited to witness the 100 year anniversary of the family business. An evening that begins on a festive high note has an unexpected twist…
Not everything can be captured in words, intimate scenes are interspersed with expansive musical dialogues. Some 80 local musicians and singers make up the choir. They represent the conscience of the family and express their unspoken feelings.
Stories of three generations of dairy farmers form the basis of MELK. Theatre makers talked with farmers about the globalization of the milk industry and how it affected family businesses. They learned to mow, milk and drive a tractor and by doing so, got to know the land and share in its stories.
artistic direction, concept
Titia Bouwmeester
creators, performers
Danielle van Vree, Wouter van Oord, Brigitte Defaix, Matthias Maat, Freek Vielen
music, composition
Ted van Leeuwen, Ben Lammerts van Bueren
acting coach
Dorien Folkers
dramaturgy
Jeroen van den Berg
musicians
Jan Hooyboer, Joop Hendrikse, Ted van Leeuwen, Annie Kool, Joke van der Helm, Jan Smulders, Johan Lakenman, Martha Baas, Tine Zwier, Reija Ham, Sarah Oud, Tanja Bierdrager, Julia Jongert, Kees Wit, Lida van de Kamp, Franka Dekker, Leo van de Berg, Dries van Leeuwen, Jan-Willem van Wamel, Niels Zwier, Dick Huter, Hannie de Jong-Valens, Hans van Uden, Heleen Jansen, Marga van Balen, Isabel John, Elly Faber, Marcel Boulange, Marijke Heikens, Ypie de Boer, Herman Köhne, Phil Blekxtoon, Marika Steenman, Francien van Diepen, Marly Trigallez, Ben Lammerts van Bueren, Eckhardt Bahlcke, Helene Bouwmeester, Jitske Wolters, Linda van Oostrum, Maaike Sluis, Marga van Timmeren, Marjan Terpstra, Patricia Swart, Silja Kops, Marjolein Dekker, Gerard Baas, Carolien Bos, Johan Kwast, Loes Jonker, Agna Baas, Gerard Zoet, Elly Vriend, Jeanne van der Veer, Hans Hasebos, Viève Buijs, Els de Ridder, Eva Meijer, Anne Bos, Tommie Freke
technic
Thijs Koenen, Jasper Kop, Jeroen Duijvendak
cook
André Amaro
company manager
Ilse van Dijk
production manager
Aafke van der Leij, Stephanie Soemanta
photography
Geert Snoeijer
supported by
festival Karavaan, Fonds Podiumkunsten, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, SNS Reaalfonds, Opmeer Anders, Provincie Noord-Holland