A theatre group that aims to keep Dutch heritage alive in Southwestern Ontario will be looking for a new date for a performance originally scheduled for March.
The Woodstock Dutch Theatre aimed to present the play “De erfenis van tante Bella” - or “the Inheritance of Aunt Bella” in English - as a touring show. The play, a comedy by Henk Roede, concerns two siblings who find themselves forced to run a beauty salon after inheriting it from the eponymous aunt. The announced tour was due to kick off in Woodstock with both a day and evening performance on March 14 and hold performances on the following weeks in Hamilton, Goderich and London.
Like all of the theatre’s performances, the comedy would be entirely in the Dutch language. The inexpensiveness of live theatre, often drawing on passionate amateur performers and using local printing services for program and poster printing, can allow it to cater to smaller linguistic or cultural groups. The Woodstock Dutch Theatre has been performing for 34 years, creating a “back home” feel for its supporters.
The original run of “De erfenis van tante Bella” was scheduled from March 14 to April 3, but was postponed due to ongoing coronavirus-related shutdowns. Expressing a desire to perform, the group has said they will reschedule the event as soon as is feasible. Net proceeds will go to the Children’s Health Foundation.
