MAMMOET: A hobby that got out of hand

© René Kaptijn

Besides being a Project Manager at ASTRON I have a hobby: Over the past years, I have played as a volunteer in several open-air theatre performances. Last spring, I was invited to audition for the ensemble of Mammoet. Mammoet is an open-air theatre spectacle performed at the Buinerveld, a unique ‘magical’ location (nature reserve) close to the core of the LOFAR telescope. A 90-meter amphitheater has been build 2½ meter above the ground with 1000 seats for the audience facing sunset. Next to the seven professional actors, the ensemble sings and plays.

I passed the audition and received the rehearsal- and performance schedule. That was a challenge! After the rehearsal period, 46 performances were planned from mid-July to mid-September. Fortunately, we play in doubles, so I only play half of the time. After a serious discussion with my partner and manager at ASTRON, I decided to go for it. We rehearsed every weekend in June, and several afternoons and a very heavy full technical editing week in July. Then after four try-outs, we had the sold-out première on July 20.

The première was very successful! All Dutch newspapers were present and two local camera crews. After the performance, we had a long press session and then champagne in the foyer. The after-party in Borger went on until late in the morning.

On Monday the reviews appeared in the newspapers and on-line, most of them quite positive (four stars). Over 20.000 tickets are already sold. It is really fascinating to be part of this extraordinary and professional play! Now 21 performances to go before my summer holiday starts…

See https://www.mammoetindrenthe.nl