Town Musicians of Bremen (6+)
Holland Opera & Duda Paiva Company

The Bremen Town Musicians tells the story of four misfits: a discarded donkey who plays the accordion, a hoarse rooster with a violin, an old dog who plays the saxophone, and a cat who plays the drums. Four animals form a colorful troupe together. In the eyes of humans, the animals are too old or no longer fit to do their work. Full of energy, they throw themselves into a musical adventure.

After the highly successful Reinaert the V. production, Holland Opera and Duda Paiva Company are collaborating once again.

The adaptation by Simon van der Geest:
The factory bosses march strictly to the beat. But they are startled by the results: the donkey (accordion) is too old, and the new technology is too complicated for him. He is to be written off. But the donkey has heard everything, and as soon as they try to grab him, he breaks free and escapes into the wide world.

In a tiny, fenced-in field sits a dog (saxophone). A master is trying to teach him to count. But he’s too wild and can’t sit still, and he keeps getting punished. The donkey convinces him that a free life as a street musician suits him much better.

On the street, they find a hen/rooster (violin) who has been beaten up. Two bosses from the egg battalion explain that the hen used to work for them but refused to lay eggs; she claims she’s not a hen. “Fine,” they said, “if you’re not a hen, then you’re a rooster and you have to crow for the wake-up service.” But this animal doesn’t feel like a rooster either. The hen-rooster doesn’t want to lay eggs or crow, but would much rather dance.

The donkey and the dog help the hen-rooster to their feet and take them along. When they also come across a cat with war trauma, the quartet is complete.

They continue on their way but struggle with each other’s quirks: the donkey is too slow, the dog darts in every direction, and the hen-rooster is stubborn. When a thunderstorm breaks out, the cat cowers and is too afraid to go on. The others sigh, but they help her through it and make peace with one another. They decide to start a band: the Bremen Misfits Band.

CREDITS

Music: Lucas Wiegerink
Libretto: Simon van der Geest
Puppets: Duda Paiva
Director: Pim Veulings
Dramaturgy: Joke Hoolboom
Decor: Douwe Hibma
Costumes: Bregje van Balen
Education: Maris de Jong
Performance: Josje Eijkenboom; Ignacio Sanz; Sophie Prins & Anne Sandee (puppetry & dance), Heleen Knoop (violin), Floor Wittink (saxophone), Wilco Oomkes (accordion), Vera Fiselier & Niek Idelenburg (vocal)

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