Soldier of Orange (Dutch: Soldaat van Oranje) is a Dutch musical with lyrics by Pamela Phillips Oland, music by Tom Harriman, and book by Oland, Harriman and Edwin de Vries – who wrote the Dutch script; based on the true story of resistance hero Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema. In the 1970s, he wrote his experiences during World War II down in a book and director Paul Verhoeven made it into a 1977 film, starring actor Rutger Hauer.
The musical premiered on 30 October 2010, in a theatre that was purpose-built for the production: the TheaterHangaar on the former Valkenburg air base in Katwijk (in an old hangar). Queen Beatrix attended the premiere together with Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema's widow, Karin. Soldier of Orange is produced by NEW Productions, which is a subsidiary of investment company Amerborgh Nederland.
In the autumn of 2020, an English version of Soldier of Orange was set to premiere in a newly built Royal Docks Theatre near London City Airport but the plans were postponed in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic started.
The original version of the show held its final performance on 14 July 2024. Several changes were made, including changes in the script and stage effects. Two new songs were added as well. The new version held try-outs from 3-7 September, and premiered on 11 September 2024.
On 26 January 2026, the producers announced that the production would close in July 2026, after almost 16 years and 3,967 performances. The final performance for regular audiences took place on 11 July, with a special private performance (for previous cast and crew members) on 12 July 2026.
Plot Student Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema and his friends are carefree, until the Germans invade the Netherlands in the early days of May 1940. The war changes everything. They can no longer take friendship and love for granted. Everybody has to make choices. Fight for the country and for freedom? Focus on studying and deny what's going on? Or join the enemy?
The book of Hazelhoff Roelfzema, with the title Het hol van de ratelslang (English: Cave of the Rattlesnake), was published in 1970. It reappeared a year later under the title Soldaat van Oranje (English: Soldier of Orange). Paul Verhoeven created a film version in 1977. Rutger Hauer played the character Erik Lanshoff, based on the resistance hero.
Soldier of Orange – The Musical brings the true story to the theatre. After World War II starts, Erik decides to flee to Britain. He smuggles transmitting equipment to the Netherlands and, as a pilot, is involved in bombing Germany. He becomes adjutant for Queen Wilhelmina and receives the Military William Order ('Militaire Willems-Orde'), the highest royal honour in the Netherlands, for his contribution to the resistance movement.
Background Producer Fred Boot obtained the rights to turn the story into a musical in 2005, after meeting Hazelhoff Roelfzema the year before.
Scriptwriter Edwin de Vries wrote the musical script. American duo Tom Harriman and Pamela Philips Oland was responsible for composition and lyrics. Dutch actor and composer Frans van Deursen translated the lyrics from English into Dutch. In 2008, Boot asked theatre producer Robin de Levita to join him. Director Theu Boermans joined the team in 2009.
Location The show takes place in a former flight hangar, that is converted into a theatre. The location of the so-called TheaterHangaar is former military airport Valkenburg between Wassenaar, Katwijk and Leiden, a suitable, historical place. A foyer with a bar and restaurant is placed in front of the hangar.
SceneAround Producer Robin de Levita invented a new theatrical performance solution for Soldier of Orange – The Musical: a rotating auditorium in the center of a venue with 1100 seats. He named it SceneAround. The auditorium is placed on a turntable. The audience rotates from scenery to scenery, accompanied by 180 degree projections on panel screens around the auditorium. Both the auditorium and the screens are motorized and automated. The set is built around the auditorium. Almost every scenery has its own set. There is even a ‘sea’ and the outdoor runway of the airport is also part of the set.
Dakota Queen Wilhelmina returned to the Netherlands with a Dakota. The Dakota C-47 was made available for the musical by a Dutch museum and was taken to Valkenburg in August 2010. Shortly after midnight, the plane got stuck in an overpass. It was too damaged to have it repaired on time for the premiere. The Dakota PH-ALR ‘Reiger’ from 1939 that's being used in the production now, was delivered on 23 September 2010.
Cast The production had a total of 29 casts: A total of 18 actors have played more than one role, with Alex van Bergen being the only one to have played three different roles. RoleCast ICast IICast IIICast IVCast VCast VICast VIICast VIIICast IXCast XCast XICast XIICast XIIICast XIVCast XVCast XVICast XVIICast XVIIICast XIXCast XXCast XXICast XXIICast XXIIICast XXIVCast XXVCast XXVICast XXVIICast XXVIIICast XXIXErik HazelhoffMatteo van der Grijn,Dennis ten VergertJulian LoomanDragan BakemaMatteo van der Grijn,Robbert van den BerghMatteo van der Grijn,Jord KnotterMatteo van der Grijn,Stefan RokebrandStefan Rokebrand,Dorian BindelsDorian Bindels,Niels GooijerDorian Bindels,Jonathan DemoorDorian Bindels,Thomas CammaertValentijn BenardValentijn Benard,Jonathan DemoorSebas Berman,Theo Martijn Wever,Alex van BergenTheo Martijn Wever,Alex van BergenAlex van Bergen,Valentijn BenardAlex van Bergen,Theo Martijn WeverAlex van Bergen,Alexander SchuitemaAlex van Bergen,Alexander Schuitema,Jonathan DemoorAlexander Schuitema,Milan SekerisJonathan Demoor,Dirk van den BrandJoep Paddenburg,Stef van GelderJoep Paddenburg,Samir HassanBuddy Vedder,Joep Paddenburg,Samir HassanCharlotteLoes Haverkort,Marlijn WeerdenburgLinde van den HeuvelBente van den BrandLoes Haverkort,Bente van den BrandMerel Baldé,Lindertje MansMerel Baldé,Bente van den BrandLinde van den Heuvel,Melissa DrostEva van der PostWillemien DijkstraCathalijne de SonnavilleDiana van DieDanique BolJoy DelimaQueen WilhelminaCatherine ten Bruggencate,Anke van 't Hof,Petra LaseurAnne-Wil Blankers,Sylvia Poorta,Truus te SelleTrudy de Jong,Marisa van Eyle,Myranda JongelingCatherine ten Bruggencate,Myranda Jongeling,Anne-Wil Blankers,Betty SchuurmanCatherine ten Bruggencate,Myranda Jongeling,Sylvia Poorta,Marisa van EyleJuul Vrijdag,Jacqueline Blom,Myranda Jongeling,Marisa van EyleJuul Vrijdag,Jacqueline Blom,Myranda Jongeling,Sylvia PoortaAnne-Wil Blankers,Olga Zuiderhoek,Juul Vrijdag,Myranda JongelingGusta Geleijnse,Myranda JongelingJuul Vrijdag,Olga Zuiderhoek,Gusta Geleijnse,Sylvia PoortaGusta Geleijnse,Henriëtte Tol,Myranda Jongeling,Juul VrijdagHenriëtte Tol,Myranda Jongeling,Sylvia PoortaJuul Vrijdag,Debbie KorperHenriëtte Tol,Myranda JongelingDebbie Korper,Wivineke van GroningenHenriëtte Tol,Gusta GeleijnseHenriëtte Tol,Wivineke van GroningenHenriëtte Tol,Wivineke van Groningen,Debbie KorperDebbie Korper,Barbara PouwelsSylvia Poorta,Barbara Pouwels,Henriette TolDebbie Korper,Barbara PouwelsHenriëtte Tol,Sylvia PoortaSylvia Poorta,Ottolien BoeschotenHenriëtte Tol,Ricky KooleHenriëtte Tol,Lone van RoosendaalAnton RooverOren SchrijverReinier DemeijerRobbert van den Bergh,Oren SchrijverRobbert van den Bergh,Thijs SteenkampMaarten HeijmansKevin SchoonderbeekThomas CammaertAyal OostThomas Cammaert,Ayal OostJonathan DemoorRoel DirvenLars MakThijs MiedemaBart van VeldhovenStefan de KogelYoran de BontMilan van Waardenburg,Yoran de Bont,Bart van Veldhoven (one night only)Chris de VriesBoy OotemanThijs Steenkamp,Boy OotemanThijs SteenkampThijs Steenkamp,Xander van VledderBoy OotemanZjon SmaalSjoerd OomenDennis WillekensMarcel HarteveldLudo van der WinkelJim LeijenRick van StalleFred van HoutenTijn DocterXander van VledderHarpert MichielsenXander van VledderKevin SchoonderbeekAnne PrakkeAnne Prakke,Kevin SchoonderbeekAnne PrakkeJoost ClaesKevin SchoonderbeekRuben BrinkmanJelle de JongBeau SchneiderFolkert van DiggelenAlex van Bergen,Folkert van DiggelenBen KüttererBram GoudsmidJorrit RuijsReinier SchimmelRutger BulsingRutger Bulsing,Jorrit RuijsJorrit RuijsRoel DirvenRoel Dirven,Jorrit RuijsRoel DirvenSjoerd SpruijtMatthijs PaterEli ter HartDiego González-ClarkDavy ReedijkPaul ten BrinkKes BlansJoey SchalkerJoey Schalker,Niels GooijerRutger BulsingDaan ColijnAlex van BergenTomer PawlickiMarijn KlaverJasper van HofwegenJohnny BarendsenDanny WesterweelRuben KuppensJochem SmitEli RietveldHayo de KruifKorneel DefrancqVictor VersteegenAd-Just BouwmanRaymond PaardekooperNoël S. KeulenGuido de WijsJohnny BarendsenValentijn van HallJohnny BarendsenEwout HeijbroekKorneel DefrancqRoelof van der SarYoshua van den BroekAdaAnne LamsveltChristine de BoerChristine de Boer,Anne LamsveltChristine de Boer,Karolien TorensmaKarolien Torensma,Anne LamsveltSophie SchutSophie HöppenerMirtele SnabilieLotta Sophie BakkerMargo VerhoevenMarle MartensLisse KnaappenJulia LammertsDagmar RijffDorien van GentJudith BoesenJuliëtte van LeeuwenFrançois van 't SantNico de Vries,Bart de VriesBart de Vries,Edwin de VriesBart de Vries,Nico de VriesBart de VriesRené van Zinnicq Bergmann,Nico de VriesNico de Vries,Maarten WansinkRené van Zinnicq Bergmann,Nico de VriesMark Rietman,Huub Stapel,Nico de Vries,Kees HulstNico de Vries,Jaap Spijkers,Harpert Michielsen,Raymond PaardekooperHajo Bruins,Jaap Spijkers,Bert GeurkinkPeter Tuinman,Bert Geurkink,Raymond PaardekooperHajo Bruins,Raymond Paardekooper,Jaap Spijkers,Bert GeurkinkRaymond Paardekooper,Wil van der Meer,Howard van DodemondRaymond Paardekooper,Peter TuinmanRaymond Paardekooper,Paul R. Kooij,Nico de VriesPeter Tuinman,Raymond PaardekooperReinier Bulder,Peter BolhuisRaymond Paardekooper,Genio de GrootRaymond Paardekooper,Peter BolhuisRaymond Paardekooper,Genio de GrootTijn Docter,Raymond PaardekooperTijn Docter,Sabri Saad El HamusTijn Docter,Reinout BussemakerTijn Docter,Reinout Bussemaker,Geert LageveenAus Greidanus,Geert Lageveen,Tijn Docter (one night only),Reinout Bussemaker (one night only)Lady TessaMargreet BoersbroekMelissa DrostMelissa Drost,Margreet BoersbroekJennifer van BrenkVérie ThijssenSandra JonkmanCathalijne de SonnavilleDominique de BontCharlotte van der PlasCharlotte DommershausenEmily WhiteLady Angela colspan="25" Emily WhiteMerith van Mensch
References
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2010/11/01/koninklijke-premiere-soldaat-van-oranje
External links Official website