“Deeply touching dance adaptation of the famous book by Yvonne ”
The multidisciplinary productions of youth dance company Lonneke van Leth Dans is well geared toward the world and experiences of future adults, refer to socially relevant subject and invite openness, vulnerability, and reflection. And that definitely applies to Het verrotte leven van Floortje Bloem (The messed-up life of Floortje Bloem), a deeply touching dance adaptation of the famous book by Yvonne Keuls for anyone age 14 and up.
Blame game in a talk show setting
A selection of characters from the original book is placed at opposing sides in a talk show setting in this performance. They’re discussing who is to blame for the hard and intense life of Floortje Bloem. Because the talk show host is mostly interested in sensational emo television, the characters end up in a blame game where emotions are running high. The downfall of Floortje becomes painfully visible in the increasing polarization and tribalism that characterize the current public debate around the world.
Hope, strength, and vulnerability
Solo dancer Camille Pidou represents the inner life, hope, strength, and vulnerability of the young Floortje in this performance. Various well-known actors, such as Kees Boot, Justus van Dillen, Claire Bender and Astrid van Eck play a part in the performance with texts by Martijn de Rijk. They, just like the talk show guests, can be seen on screen and, as such, are part of the set. The Dutch composer Jacob ter Veldhuis wrote new music for this multidisciplinary production.
In January 2020, Keuls’ book won the Peter van Straaten Psychologieprijs, 38 years on. The book has lost nothing of its expressiveness since it was first published in 1982.