Iconic Dutch musical opens up to international audiences with innovative ‘Language No Problem’ technology
Starting August 22, the musical Soldaat van Oranje will also be available in English, thanks to a pioneering application of audio description technology via the visitor’s smartphone. This innovation makes the production more accessible and now available to international audiences, including expats and tourists. Through a dedicated app, visitors receive real-time English-language context synced with the live performance.
Now accessible to non-Dutch speakers
Since its premiere in 2010, the show has captivated over 3.7 million visitors, and holds the record for the longest-running production in Dutch theatre history. The musical tells the gripping true story of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, the famous Dutch resistance fighter during World War II. His story continues to resonate today with its powerful message of courage and freedom. The audience experiences the show in a unique theatrical performance solution specially developed for this production. The audience is seated in a 360-degree rotating auditorium that turns from set to set, accompanied by 180-degree projections. For the first time, non-Dutch speakers can fully experience this iconic show thanks to a newly recorded English-language audio description, voiced by acclaimed West End and Broadway actress Celinde Schoenmaker (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera).
Special collaboration: Julia Harriman performs English versions of musical numbers
As a teaser for the English-language experience, two of the show’s most iconic songs are now available in English. These include ‘No Way Back’ and ‘There’s No-One Here But Us’. These English tracks are sung by musical theatre star Julia Harriman, known from The Voice US and her role as Elizabeth in Hamilton on Broadway. She is the daughter of American composer Tom Harriman, who composed the entire score for Soldaat van Oranje. Tom previously composed music for well-known American films and TV series, including Baywatch. Together, Julia and Tom Harriman connect two generations, two worlds, and two continents to this distinctly Dutch story.
About Soldaat van Oranje
Soldaat van Oranje tells the true story of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, one of the Netherlands’ most renowned resistance fighters during World War II. The production premiered on 30 October 2010 in a purpose-built theatre featuring a 360-degree rotating auditorium. With more than 3,700 performances to date, the show holds the record for the longest-running theatre production in Dutch history. It has attracted over 3.7 million visitors and has won five Musical Awards, including the title of ‘Most Popular Dutch Musical of All Time’.
Tickets are available via https://www.soldaatvanoranje.nl.