The Pauper's paradise

After the great success of last summer, Het Pauperparadijs returns to the AFAS Theater this summer! With a compelling story that reveals one of the Netherlands' most gripping and hidden histories, this unique performance immerses you in the harsh reality of the 19th century. Love, struggle and hope are at the heart of this spectacular theatrical spectacle, brought back to life with impressive music and a talented cast. 

History 

It is based on the bestseller by Suzanna Jansen, who in her book chronicled the intriguing story of her ancestors. They, like tens of thousands of other orphans and paupers, traveled to Drenthe in the 19th century to be re-educated. What began as an idealistic experiment to eradicate poverty turned into an inhuman tragedy. 

The story 

In Het Pauperparadijs we follow the Amsterdam orphan boy Teunis, who is suddenly deported with his sister Aagje to the Veenhuizen institutions. Looking for a way out back home, he falls in love with guards' daughter Cato. Their forbidden love and the unequal struggle against authority make their lives impossible. Eventually they try to flee.