Soldaat van Oranje musical closes after almost 16 years

Soldaat van Oranje, the longest-running musical in the Netherlands, has given its final performance, ending a run of almost 16 years and close to 4,000 shows.

The production, staged in a purpose-built theatre hangar on the former Valkenburg airbase in Katwijk, near the North Sea coast, was seen by more than 4 million people. Its last public show was on Saturday, followed by a closing performance for invited guests on Sunday.

The musical told the story of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, a Dutch resistance fighter who escaped to London during the Second World War, smuggled radio equipment back into the occupied Netherlands, and flew as a pilot on bombing raids over Germany.

It was built around an unusual staging in which the 1,100-strong audience rotated 360 degrees between scenes to face different parts of the set. The lead role was played by 31 actors over the years, beginning with Matteo van der Grijn.

The show also became known for advertising that promised “the performance that writes history, now extended until…”, as its run was repeatedly prolonged.

Director Theu Boermans said the production had stayed relevant throughout. “It is a story that connects,” he said, “and reminds us how flawed and fragile the freedom we have is.”