Tusk international theatre company

the only professional English language theatre company in The Hague

Theatre in the Netherlands initiated by international theatre makers to meet the needs of everyone who likes their theatre in English

location theatre     +     theatre-theatre     +     theatre for schools     +     theatre workshops

Internationally trained theatre performers and makers work together in The Hague, creating a varied program of plays and performances

We like the fun stuff as much as the serious stuff, and the famous playwrights as much as the unknown ones

When you click on the different pages above, you’ll find extensive information about Tusk international theatre company

Look below for trailers of past productions

For schools: click on workshops and don’t forget to watch the ‘Shakespeare’ trailer

Newspapers about Tusk (Den Haag Centraal):  ”…Tusk proves that they’re serious about their ambitions” - ”…it also proves that this company has found its position in modern-day The Hague.” - ”Hopefully Tusk can develop further in the coming years offering English language theatre…” (Eric Korsten, Den Haag Centraal/Cultuur, 2009)

Tusk provides English language theatre by internationally trained performers and artists. Different backgrounds and training methods deliver a wide and open-minded  approach to  our community and culture.

Tusk’s team of actors, directors and artists provides our audiences with both modern and classic plays, whether originally written in or translated into English. In order to link Dutch culture with our international audience, Tusk also stages the translated work of contemporary Dutch playwrights.

Artistic Director: Ellis Van Maarseveen

Produced by: Stichting The English Theatre (STET), Elske van Holk

For information on PERFORMANCES or WORKSHOPS at your location contact: tusk.tc@me.com

Mission Statement

We create theatre for both the international community and Dutch nationals; our contemporary vision on modern and classical plays reflects our wish to respond to our environment and to comment on what we see, hear and feel regarding values and ethos. We are sensitive to what our audience wants while at the same time experimenting with new and visually strong approaches to theatre. We want to link the past with the present, combine theatrical disciplines, and provide entertainment that keeps our audiences on their toes in a theatrical environment that has a low threshold, i.e. we play either on location or in small theatres.  In order to reach our younger audience, Tusk organises special performances for students and schools.

Tusk’s future

In co-operation with production company STET, we want to be at the centre of English language theatre production and theatre education in the Netherlands. In order for our audience to feel at home with our programming, we are working at finding a base, a building to call our own. This central point provides Tusk with rehearsal- and performance space for its projects, but also workshop- and teaching rooms and offices to establish all these activities. Tusk wants to offer a full-size programming schedule in which to find modern and classic plays for an audience ranging from 4 – 104; three or four productions per year would be ideal. STET also brings in English language performances from abroad, and we think that being the home to this Tusk and STET co-operation puts The Hague in the centre of English language theatre in the Netherlands.

We don’t receive subsidies, funding or sponsor-donations on a regular basis, although the City of The Hague supports  us with project-based subsidies.

We still need your support. So come and see our productions! Or support us with your company; we’ll reward you with private performances or even performances that are made to measure.

Tusk international theatre company also offers

specialist workshops and theatre in education.

Click on ‘workshops’ page or mail tusk.tc@me.com for enquiries.

this is what we did

2006: SUMMIT CONFERENCE, by Robert David MacDonald

2007: PLAY STRINDBERG, by Friedrich Duerrenmatt

2008: CHEKHOV TIMES THREE, three one-act plays by Anton Chekhov

2009: MARE LIBERUM – NEW CRUSOE, by Ton Theo Smit

2010: THE AUCTION, by Tineke Endema

2010: CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, in co-operation with Operadans

trailer Chekhov times three – or visit www.espressomedia.nl

trailer Mare Liberum – New Crusoe

trailer The Auction

rehearsal The Auction

trailer 1 Christmas, Christmas, Christmas (4 mins)

trailer 2 Christmas, Christmas, Christmas (3 mins)

Trailer for TIE Production of ‘Shakespeare, To Sleep Perchance To Dream’:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjHuAmMnvGY

this is what we’re planning to do

FIELD RESEARCH INTO UKRAINIAN SEX a monologue based on the novel by Oksana Zabushko

YOUNG TUSK PRESENTS a devised piece with new, young members of Tusk international theatre company

NIJINSKY’S LAST DANCE by Normal Allen; a special co-operation between former NDT-dancers and actors in this play about one of the world’s most talented dancers, Vaslav Nijinsky, who changed the entire face of classical ballet in early 20th Century Russia and France.

SPURS / AJAX by Ton Theo Smit.  The core of this originally Dutch play is a Greek tragedy, but the subject is very up to date: football hooliganism, overstepping the lines, love and revenge.

NEW! THEATRE IN EDUCATION. Tusk is setting up a special programme to visit schools or to have schools come to visit us on location. We are now talking to schools, so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us! tusk.tc@me.com

◊ Shakespeare for Schools

A half-hour performance on Shakespeare: excerpts of famous plays are worked into this wonderful performance that will introduce your students to the works of the Bard, making sure that they will get a positive impression of his work and will be looking forward to reading more, seeing more and understanding more about his work!

Three young actors perform ‘To Sleep, Perchance To Dream’ a new play by Eli Thorne – one of Tusk’s actors. Don’t hesitate to find out whether your school should have this performance together with a workshop for your students!

that’s not all, folks

Next to TIE we’ll also be offering specialist workshops for your schools and clubs in the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany.

You can choose to have the workshops done in English or Dutch – the TIE is always in English.

Soon you’ll be able to find more detailed information on the ‘workshops’ page and to give you a little taster, this is being planned for now:

◊ Theatre in Education: Tusk will have a play on offer for your students, and even better: you can come to use with your educational requirements for a theatre performance, with or without workshop. Tusk has educational professionals on board, so we’re sure that we can offer you exactly what you want. A great way to spend your CJP budget.

◊ Various workshops on improvisation, Shakespeare (also for Dutch schools!), devising theatre with poems, images or music, etc. For primary and secondary education and also for older students and employees at companies, or groups of colleagues or friends.

◊   Physical Theatre: in co-operation with David Krügel, former dancer with the Nederlands Dans Theater, Tusk comes to your school to work with classes (max. 30) for 2 / 3 hours on theatre and movement. This very successful formula will have your students performing in no-time!

◊  Workshops for our future storytellers: an excellent challenge for your primary or secondary students to immerse themselves totally in the use of language. Eli Thorne (UK) is a master at teaching these workshops, so make sure you catch him while he’s in the country!

◊  ’All Singing, Dancing and Acting’: workshops for the holidays! (21st – 25th Feb; 28th Feb – 4th March; 18th – 22nd April). For these very ‘Glee’ workshops we’re getting the expertise of Nicole Jordan (OperaDans) for singing workshops, David Krügel for movement and more specialist teachers to get you going during the holidays.

A recent reaction from one of the schools who had booked us for a workshop:

More information? Send us an email – tusk.tc@me.com

Actors:  Rupert Farley, David Krugel, Nicole Moerland, Emmeline Prior, Eli Thorne, Erik Van Den Broek, Philip Rachid Ivanov, Lionel Leeuwin, Greg Cox, Edmund Dehn, Robin Steegman, Marene Van Holk, Zac Kelty, Edward Fromson, Nicole Jordan.

Designers: Vasilis Apostolatos, Ricki Vander Tas.

Directors: Ellis van Maarseveen, Vanesa Abajo Perez

Composers: Ivana Kis, DJ Scully

Musicians: Udo Dewandt, Arturo Ramon, Andy Kooren, Kivanc Sarkirus

We have received kind help from the costume- and set/props department at the Nationaal Toneel and the costume department of the Netherlands Dance Theatre.

Photos on this website by Lucia Contreras, Berbera van den Hoek and Nikki Oosterveen

Artwork and photography for Mare Liberum -New Crusoe:  Ricki van der Tas

Artwork other productions and trailer for The Auction by Sam Gwilym

Ellis Van Maarseveen Artistic Director

Please note: The swastika-sign shown in photographs taken during ’Summit Conference’ does not reflect ideas or beliefs held by TUSK international theatre company; we do not aim to cause offence by showing these pictures and we apologise if we have done so.