‘It’s still quiet now,’ the young visitor chirps, but the message is rather dark

Director Jetse Batelaan and Theater Artemis present a new youth theater production titled Nu is het nog rustig. The play uses a fast-paced, abstract approach to explore the relentless passage of time and the complexities of adulthood. Through high-speed scenes featuring a disintegrating marriage, shifting sets, and distorted dialogue, the performance mirrors the frantic nature of modern life. While the production at times feels like an overwhelming, difficult-to-follow experience for younger children, it employs creative staging, such as interacting with the audience through a prop, to engage the viewers directly.

Ultimately, the show provides a sobering reflection on loneliness and the rapid progression of life, symbolized by rapidly changing environments like hospitals and kitchens. Despite the bleak themes, the performance concludes with a poignant message to its young audience. Batelaan encourages them to appreciate their youth and make the most of their time before the pressures of adult life take hold, leaving them with a lasting impression of the fleeting nature of their current tranquility.