Rense Royaards

Het Werkteater 1970-1985

Documentary about the Dutch theatregroup the Werktheater. The aim of the company was to create socially relevant theater by means of cooperative processes and improvisation. They often played their performances on location, such as in hospitals, prisons, healthcare institutions and schools. In this documentary, those involved are interviewed about this remarkable theater group.

A Hot Summer Night

A husband, half of an entertainment duo, the Nellicos, tells his wife, who is the other half of the duo, that he has another woman. But they cannot discuss this as he tells her only just before they are due to perform in front of a large audience. (BFI)

Bosch en Lucht

Video registration of the German version of the performance 'Bosch en Lucht' by the Dutch theatre group 'het Werkteater'. 'Bosch en Lucht' was a performance about mentally handicapped children.

Hello Fellow Man

TV-adaptation of the performance by the Dutch theatre group 'Het Werkteater'. Three ladies of high society invite homeless people, homeless people and junks to spend a pleasant evening with them, in order to promote communication and integration.

In for Treatment

An unsuspecting flower farmer visits the hospital to discuss some test results, only to find himself admitted without explanation for an indefinite period of further examination and observation.

Camping

Happiness and sadness, joy and sorrow at the campsite. Secret letters, hysteria, bullying, hippie romanticism, betrayal and fading love.

Toestanden

"Conditions" - The improvisation-based performance was inspired by psychiatrists such as RD Laing (Family and Madness) and J. Foudraine (Who is of wood). The Werkteater played this performance 'in the den of the lion': in psychiatric institutions for patients and carers. This led to very intensive and adventurous performances in which 'a lot' always happened. Afterwards the discussions sometimes ran high, but even during the performance the audience sometimes mixed themselves in the scenes.

Avondrood

TV-adaptation of the performance by the Dutch theatre group 'het Werkteater'. A realistic fairy tale about old people in the no man's land between life and death, set in a retirement home.

Kattengat 10

Documentairy about the progressive theatre group 'Het Werkteater' at their home base on Kattengat 10 in Amsterdam.