Report - Theater Cosmic

Theater Cosmic – Bijlmer Soul 2000

Amsterdam, Friday 1999-10-01. This Friday was not just a normal Friday. It was raining cats and dogs, yes. At home warm and cozy for the tele? No! As true ART12 reporters we could not miss the premiere of ‘Bijlmer Soul 2000’, under the supervision of centipede John Leerdam. Why not? Because this homo-universalis deserves more props then just be mentioned in the credit lines. A lot of inner city youths of Amsterdam Southeast (Bijlmer) have a warm place in their heart for him…
Besides social benefactor on the sidekick, he’s also manager-director of Theater Cosmic. He directed several theater plays like O.J. Othello, Portretten and Bijlmer Express To West.

A moment of silence

The play of tonight features 14 youngsters straight out of Amsterdam Southeast in the ages from 14 till 19 years old. Together and with the staff of this theater production they developed this play for twelve months long.

Three days in a week creative, active and disciplined. It was a tough job to do. But when the going gets tough… the tough keep going. Besides that, it was also a good place to speak your mind about the daily routine and troubles on school and in life with peeps of the same age and with adults. Because people were listening to them. That does not happen enough. The inner city youths found a listening ear. The play displays the furious competition between two bands. Friendship, love, unfaithfulness, rape and believing in your self. It contained really everything.

Fifteen minutes later than scheduled (hey it’s Southeast time) VJ welcomed us with a short prologue about the live in Amsterdam Southeast. In other words she gave a run down about the ins and outs. So the play began…

VJ ‘s part is as a red line throughout the whole play. In time she gave her point of view about the developments in the story. Not very necessary, the story was clear.

Who knows?

I asked just some peeps in the audience for their reaction on the play.
Paula (23), Student Theater School. "It makes me think about the theater group 020. It was not all acting… some scenes were for some the reality."
AQ (25), o.k. not that ‘just’. "The rawness of the Southeast, the reality of it’s youths is in this play. When the youths have to display lyrics and dance moves that ain’t theirs, it is done a little bit untidy. The lyrics and moves are directly inspired by their lifes, their reality. Hit you as a blast straight in your face and grab you in the heart. A girl sung nervous and not that very clear on stage, that same girl did pass me backstage singing ‘Bills’ as beautiful as Destiny’s Child."

John Leerdam, director of the play: "To work with these youngsters was frustrating sometimes. Cause some of them were everything but disciplined. Often, you had to raise your voice and repeat things. Next to that it was fun to see that who were able to be disciplined, did perform better on stage. Also you keep in contact with them. They keep on dropping by and sometimes I know it before their parents know if they are going to the next grade on school. Or even know before their girl or boy friends that they are going to break it up. By some kids the school results went up. What you get back in return can not be put down in words."

Txt: Marianna Düff
Photo: AQ



		Theater Cosmic – Bijlmer Soul 2000 Amsterdam, Friday 1999-10-01. This Friday was not just a normal Friday. It was raining cats and dogs, yes. At home warm and cozy for the tele? No! As true ART12 reporters we could not miss the premiere of ‘Bijlmer Soul 2000’, under the supervision of centipede John Leerdam. Why not? Because this homo-universalis deserves more props then just be mentioned in the credit lines. A lot of inner city youths of Amsterdam Southeast (Bijlmer) have a warm place in their heart for him… Besides social benefactor on the sidekick, he’s also manager-director of Theater Cosmic. He directed several theater plays like O.J. Othello, Portretten and Bijlmer Express To West. A moment of silence The play of tonight features 14 youngsters straight out of Amsterdam Southeast in the ages from 14 till 19 years old. Together and with the staff of this theater production they developed this play for twelve months long. Three days in a week creative, active and disciplined. It was a tough job to do. But when the going gets tough… the tough keep going. Besides that, it was also a good place to speak your mind about the daily routine and troubles on school and in life with peeps of the same age and with adults. Because people were listening to them. That does not happen enough. The inner city youths found a listening ear. The play displays the furious competition between two bands. Friendship, love, unfaithfulness, rape and believing in your self. It contained really everything. Fifteen minutes later than scheduled (hey it’s Southeast time) VJ welcomed us with a short prologue about the live in Amsterdam Southeast. In other words she gave a run down about the ins and outs. So the play began… VJ ‘s part is as a red line throughout the whole play. In time she gave her point of view about the developments in the story. Not very necessary, the story was clear. Who knows? I asked just some peeps in the audience for their reaction on the play. Paula (23), Student Theater School. "It makes me think about the theater group 020. It was not all acting… some scenes were for some the reality." AQ (25), o.k. not that ‘just’. "The rawness of the Southeast, the reality of it’s youths is in this play. When the youths have to display lyrics and dance moves that ain’t theirs, it is done a little bit untidy. The lyrics and moves are directly inspired by their lifes, their reality. Hit you as a blast straight in your face and grab you in the heart. A girl sung nervous and not that very clear on stage, that same girl did pass me backstage singing ‘Bills’ as beautiful as Destiny’s Child." John Leerdam, director of the play: "To work with these youngsters was frustrating sometimes. Cause some of them were everything but disciplined. Often, you had to raise your voice and repeat things. Next to that it was fun to see that who were able to be disciplined, did perform better on stage. Also you keep in contact with them. They keep on dropping by and sometimes I know it before their parents know if they are going to the next grade on school. Or even know before their girl or boy friends that they are going to break it up. By some kids the school results went up. What you get back in return can not be put down in words." Txt: Marianna Düff Photo: AQ © 1999 ART12/VanderHoek Publishing. All rights reserved.