Odysseus van Holland

Odysseus van Holland is a play written by Mike van Graan (1959-).

Odysseus van Holland: The original text

A commissioned work for the Toneelgroep De Appel[1] in Den Haag, Odysseus van Holland, offering what Van Graan has called "an abstract narrative about an African tyrant, who is being prosecuted for his deeds. Then the focus shifts to the tales of a number of his victims. In fact it is a play about fear, the fear that people in society can feel for each other."

Submitted to the festival organisers, Odysseus van Holland was given to David Geysen to direct, and in the process so altered the central vision of the text, that it was decided to change the title to the more appropriate Insomnia.

Translations and adaptations

David Geysen directed Van Graan's text of Odysseus van Holland with students from South African and Dutch theatre schools, under the auspices of the 08 Feest of the Toneelgroep De Appel[2] in Den Haag. In the process of directing Van Graan's text, the director imposed an own vision on the play, altering it to such an extent that it actually made the original title inappropriate. So the title was changed to Insomnia for the performances.

Insomnia was first performed at the 08 Feest on 7 June, 2008, as part of a trilogy of short experimental plays (along with Guests by Wannie de Wijn and Power by Jaco Bouwer). The soundtrack for the piece by David Geysen and Carl Beukman.

Performance history of both versions in South Africa

2008: Insomnia was performed at Artscape in Cape Town, as part of a trilogy of short experimental plays (along with Guests by Wannie de Wijn and Power by Jaco Bouwer). Thereafter Also done at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and at the 969 Festival in Braamfontein. Insomnia was directed by David Geysen and the soundtrack by David Geysen and Carl Beukman.

Sources

Video by Alain Pringels of a rehearsal of Odysseus van Holland[3].

Maaike Glerum. 2008. Interview with Mike van Graan, De Volkskrant (in De Appel website) [4]

Beeld, 18 June 2008.

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