The Pauper's Paradise

The Pauper's Paradise is back!
After the great success of last summer, Het Pauperparadijs returns to the AFAS Theater this summer! With a compelling story that reveals one of the most gripping and hidden histories of the Netherlands, this unique performance immerses you in the harsh reality of the 19th century. Love, struggle and hope are at the heart of this spectacular theatrical spectacle, brought back to life with impressive music and a talented cast.

History
It is based on the bestselling novel by Suzanna Jansen who chronicled in her book the intriguing story of her ancestors. They, like tens of thousands of other orphans and paupers, traveled to Drenthe in the 19th century to be re-educated. What began as an idealistic experiment to eradicate poverty turned into an inhuman tragedy.

The story
In Het Pauperparadijs we follow the Amsterdam orphan boy Teunis, who is suddenly deported with his sister Aagje to the Veenhuizen institutions. He seeks a way out back home, but falls in love with guards' daughter Cato. Their forbidden love and the unequal struggle against authority make their lives impossible. Eventually they try to flee.