Time for Joy
A bench. A mother waits for her two children. Her son tells her that he wants to disappear for a while. As she struggles to come to terms with the emotions his decision stirs in her, the bench becomes a meeting place for a fascinating array of passers-by: a neighbour, his ex-wife, a widow and her grown-up stepchildren. Before long, they interrupt the intimate family moment with their own stories and disagreements. In their search for connection, this diverse group of people becomes increasingly entangled in each other’s lives. They share a profound desire to be happy together…
Duration 2 hours 30 minutes, including one short intermission
Genre Theatre
Language Dutch
Surtitles English, Thu 11, 18 & 25 Sep
In Gesprek Fri 12, 19, 26 Sep
Triggerwarning This performance contains references to suicide.
Time for Joy
Time for Joy (Tid for glede, 2020) by Norwegian writer Arne Lygre leaves no one untouched. In two acts, it explores relationships, patterns, and the longing for togetherness, despite the burden of pain and loss.
Time for Joy is a comedic, sometimes absurdist, yet deeply emotional play that gently compels us to reflect on who we are to one another, on loneliness, loss, and our relentless pursuit of happiness.
Eline Arbo | Concept & idea
"Time for Joy is an extraordinarily beautiful play about the search for connection and how difficult that can sometimes be. I can think of no better moment, no greater need, to perform this play than right now. In a time when we struggle with feelings of alienation, we seek meaning through our connections with others—not only in the world around us but also much closer to home. As a company, as a theatre, we have been searching for new shared values and have rediscovered our desire to return to what theatre means to us: an exercise in empathy. Deeply rooted in this house and in coproduction with Boogaerdt/Van der Schoot, created with all the talent both in front of and behind the scenes, we bring Time for Joy to life. An unmistakable sound of our times, theatre in its purest form; our celebration of togetherness."
author
Arne Lygre
Norwegian playwright and novelist Arne Lygre (1968) is acclaimed for his minimalist, emotionally intelligent, and profoundly human works. Through his distinctive writing style, he dissects the banality of life. With sharp, witty, recognisable, and at times outright humorous dialogues, he captures the intensity of our fears, desires, loneliness, loss, and freedom. His plays often take place in an undefined time and space, highlighting the universality of our existence. They explore the individual as part of a larger whole, influenced by a network of lives that continually intersect.
REVIEWS
de Volkskrant
"In particular, Marieke Heebink as the mother rages through her text like a whirlwind, in numerous moods, but Ilke Paddenburg as her daughter is equally phenomenal."
Theaterkrant
"Lygre's sharp, humorous and at the same time deeply moving dialogues come off exceptionally strong in Bianca van der Schoot's direction."
DIGITAL BROCHURE
Read more about the story, the author and creation process of Time for Joy in our digital brochure.
Bianca van der Schoot (Eindhoven, 1973) is a Dutch theatre maker, performer and actress, known for her experimental and visual approach to theatre. She graduated from the Mime Opleiding in Amsterdam in 1999 and has formed the artist duo Boogaerdt/VanderSchoot with Suzan Boogaerdt since 2000. Their work is at the
intersection of performance art, theatre and visual art, exploring themes such as the influence of visual culture and technology on human beings. Through a gender-sensitive lens, BVDS explores how different realities, whether virtual or dream worlds, interface with the human user.
In season 24/25 she directs the ITA Ensemble in Time for Joy.
113 Suicide prevention
Are you thinking about suicide? 113 Suicide prevention is here for you. You can anonymously call or chat with them.
Credits
by Arne Lygre
concept & idea Eline Arbo
directed by Bianca van der Schoot
musical direction and composition Thijs van Vuure
assistant director Daniël ‘t Hoen
scenography Roel Van Berckelaer
costume design Wojciech Dziedzic
lighting design Dennis van Scheppingen
translation Tom Kleijn
This performance is made possible by all employees of ITA. Through everything that unites us, a joint effort of talent, both visible and invisible during the performance.
Time for Joy is a co-production of Internationaal Theater Amsterdam & Boogaerdt/VanderSchoot
private producers Helga Lasschuijt and Dirk Raes, Therese van Schie and Marc Staal, Peter Dorsman
made possible by the members of the Culture Club
supported by KPMG
In coproduction with
This production is supported by