Trotse Kameraden: Liesbeth the Traveler
We are currently rehearsing hard for the performance of Trotse Trotse Kameraden - De kunst van gelukkig ouder worden on Sunday, July 7 in the Parktheater.
Some of the participants in Trotse Kameraden are stars from the past who want to shine on play one last time, while others are performing in a play for the very first time. During the performance, the participants share their life stories, experiences, and wise life lessons. One of those Trotse Kameraden is Liesbeth. She plays the role of the Traveler—a role that fits her like a glove!
"Going abroad with a small tent on the bonnefooi. Traveling through Europe. Facing adventure. Lovely. Hiking in the mountains. I can still smell the outdoor air. And then meeting the love of your life who shares the same passion. How beautiful. The tent was later exchanged for a second-hand caravan, but the passion remained. And so did the love.
I have always had the travel bug under my skin and it is still latent. I also infected my two children with it, but unfortunately I can no longer share it with my husband. He could no longer be cheerful in his final years. Or happy. Or cheerful. Curious. Interested in others. Eager to learn. Character traits and emotions that the travel bug is only too happy to feast on. And so does a relationship.
After the loss of my husband, I am on my own a lot. Alone, but without really being lonely, mind you. My eyes are deteriorating with the result that making contact is no longer as easy for me as it used to be. I sometimes get some reproaches in the senior apartment complex where I live: Why don't you say anything? Yes sorry, I didn't check you. But yes. Tell me. If you have poor eyesight, you don't go around waving all day long, hoping you won't hurt anyone.
On play, we mainly work with facial expressions and movements—from friendly to grumpy, from exuberant to downcast. I’ve seen them all in my own life, so this role is a perfect fit for me.
But all this doesn't stop me from still going out every day. I am not going to sit down. I can still talk and walk. Although the latter is only possible with a walker. I am still curious, happy and interested in others. That travel bug is still there. Gelukkig maar. And on my wanderings I still get everywhere. Although that 'everywhere' has shrunk over the years from the borders of Europe to the borders of the house I live in, although extended with adjacent gardens.
That’s how I ended up at the weekly discussion group, the walker dance class—they call me “the dancing Marie” there—the crafts group, the story time, the philosophy club—which can cover some really complicated topics at times—and that’s also how I came across De Trotse Kameraden . “Come on, let’s give that a try,” I thought to myself. And it’s here to stay—it’s past event about three years now, and they’re still my best comrades. A warm family that holds “spontaneity” in the highest regard. A boundless journey of discovery. And that’s exactly what we radiate on play. What I hope to convey to the audience there is what the ingredients are for growing old. How do you do that? Well, it’s simple: by doing things you’ve never done before. Surprise yourself a little more often. It’s the best remedy for mental wrinkles. The only virus you should embrace and never let go of. Have a good trip.”
Are you coming to the performance of Trotse Trotse Kameraden?
What is Trotse Kameraden?
Trotse kameraden is an inclusive company and refers to pride and camaraderie. Pride because it encourages you to bring out the best in yourself and present this to the audience. Comradeship because you create a theatrical performance together. The participants of Trotse Kameraden show that everyone can play theater, that there is still so much to experience and that you are never too old to learn.
Trotse Kameraden is a collaboration of Vitalis, Carte Blanche, CKE and Parktheater Eindhoven to make art and culture in elderly care more sustainable. Vitalis already has 9 years of experience with the theater project Trotse Kameraden.
