Bedtime Stories

What will you do, when in a blink of an eye, your whole world has been shattered? Where will you hide, when love and happiness seem strange words of a distant past? With whom will you seek comfort and safety, when you are the only one left who understands you?

Bedtime Stories is a story about a family being torn apart and about their struggle with losses and loneliness. It’s about three people trying to cope with this in their very own way. But most of all it’s about Abby, the family’s child. One day she’s a princess on a flying carpet, traveling amongst the clouds, the next day she has to deal with a terrible loss and with finding her own place in the world, at an age way too young. She tries to seek comfort in the company of a close friend. But will this be enough to heal the scars of the past?

Bedtime Stories is an original play by Nijmegen’s international theater group WOW-EFFECT. The play was developed by the whole group by doing theme-based improvisations. The script was then written by Tanya de Kruijff and the play is directed by Ruud Mol. It stars WOW-EFFECT’s multinational cast from nine different countries and will be performed in English.

Credits & Crew

Director Ruud Mol
Assistant Director Tanya de Kruijff
Playwright Tanya de Kruijff
Writer’s Advisor Team Maria Kinast, Piyush Sharma, Ynske Aerts, Tulya Kavaklıoğlu
Production Tanya de Kruijff, Tulya Kavaklıoğlu
Assistant Producers Maria Kinast, Sarah Fünke
Stage Management Tulya Kavaklioglu
Make up Xiaoji Song, Annika Rausch, Sarah Fünke
Choreography Maria Kinast, Tanya de Kruijff, Niccoló Mariani
Music Elliot Sollis, Rick Janssen, Ynske Aerts, Iven Thielman, Mathew Timmerman, Tanya de Kruijff
Light Oscar Diego Leaño
I thought it was a wonderful performance.

I was (pleasantly) surprised to find out it was quite a heavy piece, an intense story.
The main actress was phenomenal, a natural. Someone who fearlessly embraced her character.

The scenes were nicely succinct. The pace was high. Time flew. Nice alternation between light and heavy elements. Full house twice, I assume?

Too bad you’re only performing this twice. But who knows, there might be other opportunities in the future!

John
It was awesome.

I was expecting some amateur theater play, as you advertised it to be one. But what I saw instead, seemed very professional to me. I am really impressed.

Anonymous
Thank you, WOW-EFFECT.

Thank you for your great performance last night. I really enjoyed your touching and heart-warming play. It made me laugh and it brought tears to my eyes at the same time. Thanks for both! All of you did an excellent job.

I came to Nijmegen only a couple of weeks ago and I decided to watch your play in order not to spend the evening alone. I remember Abby saying to her dad while sitting on the flying carpet: “No one should be alone.” Thank you for allowing me to be part of your audience and for letting me watch strong little Abby who experienced those moments in life when you have to make it on your own.

I wish you good luck for your second performance tonight and all the best for your future projects.

Barbara

The Cast

Sarah Fünke
Sarah Fünkeas ABBY
Piyush Sharma
Piyush Sharmaas STEVE
Ynske Aerts
Ynske Aertsas MADELINE
Maria Kinast
Maria Kinastas ROBYN
Niccolò Mariani
Niccolò Marianias CARL
Tabea Schüller-Ruhl
Tabea Schüller-Ruhlas JASMINE
Annika Rausch
Annika Rauschas JANE
Anissa Naji
Anissa Najias KIRSTEN
Ferdinand Niemann
Ferdinand Niemannas IMMANUEL
Phan Ahn Pham
Phan Ahn Phamas KAI
Tulya Kavaklıoğlu
Tulya Kavaklıoğluas DJ
Elena Nicoli
Elena Nicolias DOCTOR BENENATI
Xiaoji Song
Xiaoji Songas LIN / SAI KO