Masai

N.N. means nomen nescio. But N.N. represents in
particular a name that is gaining fame: Nienke Nillesen
won the Fontys Entree prize at Boulevard 2016 for her
music theatre production Masai. In the production, the
Dutch-Tanzanian mezzosoprano alternates between
personal stories, classical arias and African songs. The
focal point is her relationship with her father, a Masai
chief, and her 32 half-brothers and sisters (and no, that
number is not a hakuna typo to say it in Swahili) Masai is
a moving story about family, missing, communication and
a mysterious sand mountain, causing plenty of laughter.
But fi rst and foremost Masai explores cultural differences,
and Nienke’s effortless way of rising above them: “Even
though I am unable to communicate with many of my
family members, dancing, singing and jumping together
has given me a real sense of connection.”

vocals and play: Nienke Nasserian Nillesen
music: Ben van Daal (piano), Jeanine Melis of Lieke Daniels (violin), Demos Horn or Reggy van Bakel
(drums)
directed by: Naomi van der Linden
playcoach and directional advice: Lizzy Timmers
a coproduction with Theaterfestival Boulevard