The National Theatre & Eric de Vroedt

Does international law really work for everyone? Director Eric de Vroedt's Operation Hellfire is a political thriller in which law, power and morality collide. What if an American president has to appear before the International Criminal Court? Including Rick Paul van Mulligen, Gustav Borreman, Soumaya Ahouaoui and Yamill Jones.

A 'what if' that comes frighteningly close to reality

It is 2030. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands is organizing an international summit on the collapsing world order. He wants to start a counter-movement, back to a time when (international) law really mattered. But then the unthinkable happens: the former president of America, one of the guests of honor, is arrested by the International Criminal Court upon arrival in The Hague.

The reaction from Washington follows with lightning speed. The American Service-Members' Protection Act is activated, a law that protects Americans from prosecution by the Criminal Court. An unprecedented diplomatic row ensues. The Criminal Court refuses to withdraw charges, even in the face of an impending invasion.

'International city of peace and justice'

In response to the establishment of the International Criminal Court in 2002, America passed the "American Service Members' Protection Act. This law gives the U.S. president the right to use "all means necessary and appropriate" to free a U.S. citizen or ally when indicted by the Criminal Court. The law was popularly nicknamed "The Hague Invasion Act."

The Hague calls itself "the international city of peace and justice. In Operation Hellfire, writers Joeri Heegstra and Max Wind pose the question: how far is the Netherlands willing to go to where up to those ideals?

Eric de Vroedt

"In 2024, Joeri Heegstra and Max Wind wrote Exit Poll, a lightning-fast, funny political thriller about elections, for Het Nationale Theater. Now they turn their gaze to international law. How fair is it really? Does law work equally well for everyone? Just when the international world order seems to be faltering, it's good to ask these questions."

Visit the introduction

With this performance we offer an introduction. For € 5.00 you get an explanation and background information about the performance you are attending. Upon showing your ticket for the introduction you will also receive a free cup of coffee or tea.