Two ITA Ensemble actors nominated for Theo d'Ors
The nominations for the Theo d'Ors (VSCD Toneelprijzen) have been revealed. We are proud to announce that Maria Kraakman has been nominated for the Theo d'Or for the most impressive performance in a leading role for her role in Prima Facie (directed by Eline Arbo). Jesse Mensah has received a nomination for the Theo d'Or for the most impressive acting performance in a supporting role for his role in The Laws (directed by Eline Arbo).
Maria Kraakman - nomination for The Theo d'Or for the most impressive performance in a leading role
The jury: “In the monologue Prima Facie, Maria Kraakman undergoes an impressive transformation. The first parts of Prima Facie are downright exciting: Kraakman stretches the tight reins of Suzie Miller's text to the limit, seemingly moving effortlessly from law speech to victory waltz, without falling into Zuidas clichés. Kraakman's interpretation is extremely layered; bravura goes hand in hand with sophistication. In the second half, Kraakman's mastery comes to the fore. In an extremely subtle way, she switches between stages of disbelief, self-doubt and pugnacity and once again confirms herself as one of the Netherlands' most impressive actors of her generation.”
Prima Facie will be on stage at ITA from May 31 through June 14 and will tour the Netherlands from October 4 through November 20 once again. Kraakman previously won the Theo d'Or in 2010 for her role in Orlando by Toneelgroep Oostpool. She was also nominated in 2015 for her role in Angels in America by Toneelgroep Oostpool and in 2016 she was nominated as well, this time for her role in The Year of Cancer by Toneelgroep Amsterdam.
-|-
Jesse Mensah - nomination for The Theo d'Or for the most impressive acting performance in a supporting role
The jury: “Jesse Mensah portrays his role in The Laws with complete individuality, ephemerality and compelling originality. The way Jesse Mensah gives shape to the most elusive character in this story is the product of a shrewd and daring, highly personal interpretation and springs from a primal source found in acting itself. In doing so, Mensah as an actor expresses the basic idea of the performance: only when you stop being a character you can become the creator of your own story. The physical naturalness with which he does this shows great originality and courage.”
The Laws premiered on March 10, 2024. Eline Arbo was the first to bring Connie Palmen's debut novel to the stage. The Laws tells the story of a woman in search of herself. Seven encounters with seven men over seven years. We see how she grows into authorship in a thought-provoking way and gives meaning to her life thanks to and despite of these encounters.
The Laws can be seen again at ITA from August 22 through September 1. Jesse Mensah will not reprise his role in this run. Mensah was previously nominated for the Louis d'Or in 2020 for his role in The End of Eddy by Toneelschuur Producties, along with his colleagues Victor IJdens, Felix Schellekens and Romijn Scholten.
The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 15, during the Gala van het Nederlands Theater in Internationaal Theater Amsterdam.
