“Visually striking” according to Theaterkrant, “The absolute highpoint is the desolate trek through the snow” in the opinion of NRC. “A celebration” writes Sevendays, and “A provocative ode to the imagination” is the judgment of Parool. And the audiences are also full of praise for Nobody’s Boy, a touching and imaginative spectacle brimming with dance and music, based on Hector Malot’s famous story and staged by director Moniek Merkx.
Remi’s childhood ends suddenly when he discovers that his mother is not really his mother. He is sold to Vitalis, and old man with three dogs and a monkey, and experiences the life of a wanderer, replete with endless setbacks. But Remi keeps up his courage, time and again. And then, after a long and sad journey, there waits a reward…
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Quotes
“Malot’s classic story daringly told (…) visually striking.”
Dick van Teylingen, Theaterkrant.“This travel poem threatens to fall into a (numbing) cadence, but then, after a freezing snow storm, opens up beautifully(…) in the second part the varied backgrounds of the performers (drama, dance, mime and music) blend neatly together.”
Annette Embrechts, Volkskrant (****)”When Vitalis goes to prison Remi’s desperation is moving, and the absolute highpoint is the desolate trek through the snow.”
Brechtje Zwanenveld, NRC“An imaginative spectacle (…) full of good dance and melancholy music”
Irene Start, Elsevier“Director Moniek Merkx has skillfully brought all the disciplines of the company together so that Nobody’s Boy has become a total performance, with dance, music and theater.”
Serge, LiveLikeTom“And the those very dancers turn out to be excellent acrobats. They make Nobody’s Boy into a celebration.”
Annemieke Ruggenberg, Sevendays/Kidsweek“It is original, dynamic, sometimes fragmentary (…) The young dancers and actors are convincing. They radiate pleasure. With a touch of humor, the group of multi-talented players brings the story of Nobody’s Boy to life.”
Sonja de Jong, Haarlems/Noord-Hollands/Leids Dagblad“Director Moniek Merkx blends all the disciplines of her Rotterdam based company together (drama, dance, mime and music), and kneads them into a provocative ode to the imagination.” .”
Joukje Akveld, Parool (****)“A disarming total experience of dance and theater. Go see it. If necessary, take a child along as an excuse.”
Dance blogger Lisa, Dancetalk -
Credits
Text, direction: Moniek Merkx
Choreography: Klaus Jürgens
Music: Vincent van Warmerdam, Djurre de Haan
Musicians: Djurre de Haan, Remco Sietsema
Play/dance: Inés Belda Nácher, Maud Dolsma, Duarte José Galhardo Brandão da Rocha Fernandes,Ana Guilherme Ruano Cardoso, Anastasiia Liubchenko, José Montoya, Jurriën Remkes, Imke Smit,Art Srisayam, Romana Vrede
Set design: Sanne Danz
Costume design: Carly Everaert
Light design: Gé Wegman
Choreographic support: Arthur Rosenfeld
Direction assistant: Annechien de Vocht
Photo: Noa Verhofstad (campaign), Phile Deprez (scene photography)
With regards to: Codarts Rotterdam, HKU, Marianne Burgers
Coproduction: Nationaal Theater Fonds, VSBfonds
