On September 28 a stage adaptation of Franz Kafka’s famous novel “The Trial” will have its premiere in Dutch theaters. The play is performed by theater company Oostpool. Director Marcus Azzini calls it an “extremely topical” drama about justice and culpability, and the absurdity of these. Joeri Vos adapted the novel for the stage and Stefan Rokebrand plays the leading role.
A young, talented cast has been selected, comprising of, amongst others, Teun Luijkx, Matthijs van de Sande Bakhuyzen and Bram van der Heijden.
In “The Trial” Josef K. finds himself from one day to next in an absurd nightmare. He’s arrested in his bed, and has no idea why. Convinced of his innocence he enters upon the struggle. But each time he tries to decipher the riddle, he gets caught up in a labyrinth full of absurd situations. Actor Teun Luijkx thinks “The Trial” is “a rational book, but at the same time also very emotional.”
Director Marcus Azzini says about the adaptation: “Although the book has been written in 1915, ‘The Trial’ is still very relevant to our times. It poses the question whether the law is the same for everyone and still today that’s not the case. Why is Berlusconi punished differently only because he’s Berlusconi? Why? When there stands a bastard in front of you, you have to punish him like you would punish everyone else. Don’t you think? And Putin, who was able to bring an anti-gay law into force, which runs completely counter to human rights. How is that possible? Universal Human Rights - it’s a noble ambition, but they don’t exist for all. Nowhere near as far as that.”
This topicality of “The Trial” is accentuated by the cast of young actors, who perform “The Trial” - in Dutch - until November 29.
Go to www.toneelgroepoostpool.nl for more information.
foto’s Sofie Knijff
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