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Piek Kock

Zachtop lachen

Kees Hulst, Emma Buysse, Minouk Beekman
Let's talk about home
Wed 5 Nov '25 20:30 - 22:10
Based on the novel by Malou Holshuijsen
Wed 5 Nov '25
20:30 - 22:10
  • Wed 5 Nov '25
    20:30 - 22:10
    Philipszaal
    Past Event

What happens when you suddenly no longer dare to do what has always come naturally? In Zachtop lachen, humor and pain creep close together. A moving and witty story about silence, trauma and the things we'd rather not feel.

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Annemieke van der Togt
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Malou, a young woman with gallows humor, no longer dares to participate in traffic from one moment to the next. In a performance as compelling as it is witty about a patient-in-denial and her therapist, Zachtop lachen reveals the impact of intergenerational trauma and the power of silence within families. A story full of humor to avoid feeling, it challenges one to unravel the mystery behind Malou's silence. For what happened that she finds so hard to talk about, and in which her Indian family's motto "food is silver and silence is gold" proves painfully apt?

Esther Scheldwacht ( Lichter dan ik a.o.) directed and adapted Malou Holshuijsen's bestseller into a funny, sharp and moving play. Zachtop lachen is a production of Kobra Theaterproducties in collaboration with Het Nationale Theater.

Food for Thought: will you join us?
Prior to the performance there will be a Food for Thought at the Grote Foyer as part of festival Let's talk about home. Experience a unique dining experience specially curated for the festival. This year we invite you to an evening that feels like sitting down at the kitchen table. All guests receive the same dinner and there is a wide choice of vegetarian bites from multiple cuisines, flavors and cultures. Book this unique dining concept for €5.

  • With free introduction at 19:30
Part of

"Engaging performance about the traumas of the vulnerable child."

Trouw

Credits

Based on Malou Holshuijsen's Zachtop lachen, published by Ambo|Anthos Publishers Adaptation and direction Esther Scheldwacht Cast Kees Hulst, Emma Buysse and Minouk Beekman Live music Minouk Beekman Lighting Yuri Schreuders Decor Lidwien van Kempen Costume Lotte Goos Music design Moos de Walle Producer Kobra Theaterproducties Co-producer Het Nationale Theater With thanks to Lucky Fonz III

Themes

Let's talk about home

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