Musical theatre about the desire for a better world
Premiere March 15, 2025, Schouwburg Hengelo (NL)
The phone lies unlocked in her hand. Her heart is pounding in her throat, she can hear her breathing and the rush of her blood. This moment is dizzying. But it seems worth the sacrifice: a better world for everyone. At her fingertips rests the fate of millions, from the farmer in Bangladesh to the car dealer in Ohio and the influencer in Berlin. That she has ended up here is the logical consequence of honest thinking and sincere humanity. After having explored every possible path, she has had enough of all the dishonesty and lies. But is this really the right choice?
How good do you have to be to not be wrong?
SACRIFICE follows the story of a young woman, her lover and their supporters. We are introduced to a small community with great ideals and a sharp judgment of society, driven by an authentic desire for a better world. Slowly their warm devotion changes into straightforward radicalism and the use of violence seems to be the only way out... In the performance, the ideological color and political preference of the group remain neutral. With two soloists, a percussionist and the twelve-member choir of Consensus Vocalis, we search for the patterns of radicalism and the extremist in each of us.
*People have currently often turned against each other. Where one feels misunderstood, the other seems unwilling to understand. Groups are entrenching themselves, like-minded people are giving each other the confirmation they so desperately need. I find the fear behind all this, that a safe future is no longer guaranteed, interesting. Those who are afraid are looking for allies, certainties, explanations.* – Annechien Koerselman, stage direction
AnnevanZantwijk.jpg "Hildegard")
Photo © Anne van Zantwijk
Credits Cast & Crew
Reviews
Theaterkrant, Thea Derks, March 17, 2025
Vocal ensemble poses highly topical questions about the justification of violence.
These time jumps are cleverly staged by stage director Annechien Koerselman and designed by composer Lucas Wiegerink. Béni Csillag, conducting on the black box stage, strikes a gong and swings a crackling rattle around, the choir members spin around their axis, like the hands of a clock. A cold green beam of light falls on SHE and her index finger floating above the detonator. While SHE speaks her bloodthirsty message, the singers recoil in fear and shock.
After her prologue [...] the choir members carry office furniture onto the stage, which will later be converted into impressive barricades, including the marimba.
Percussionist Colin Crandal cannot be praised enough. He never loses his bearings, even when the choir nearly drags his instruments from under his ass. The passage in which he beats his snare drum like a Pied Piper of Hamelin and leads the singers in a combative song is particularly effective.
Annechien Koerselman keeps the story moving with rapid scene changes, with choir members and conductor tirelessly lugging tables, chairs, lamps and carpets.
OFFER [Sacrifice] is a successful performance, which poses the question whether violence can ever be justified. Given the current call for a European army, an answer to this question is not easy to formulate.
Prepublicity
Tubantia, Marco Krijnsen, March 06, 2025
Composition © Lucas Wiegerink / Lyrics © Sophie Kassies / Mezzo-soprano © Fanny Alofs / Percussion © Colin Crandal / Photos © Anne van Zantwijk / Photo collage © Lucas Wiegerink
An insight into the rehearsal room on an average rehearsal day: a glimpse of what the preparations for performers are before the technical week of a performance starts.
Reel © Kitty Lai & Consensus Vocalis
