Mata Hari ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE

In an impressive monologue and from the perspective of a woman who, after a life filled with deep-seated doubts but who decided to face facts, the story of Mata Hari is told.

 

A woman enters the stage and comparable to the powerful “J’accuse” of Zola, starts making accusations against an incomprehensible and unjustifiable murder. The murder of Mata Hari, a woman who became a legend through her death. The woman addresses her plea to the judges, hoping and praying that justice will prevail, even though she knows that in this court justice does not exist.  After all, the murderer was amongst the judges.

 

Within this political myth, written and directed by Herman van Veen, the audience can find a direct link to the problems of dictatorial regimes in South America or to the concealed class differentiation of the so called democratic countries. Often, those who have blood on their hands, are now the rulers.  Every person will wake up one day knowing that it is time to give account to others, to God or to one self.  That day has now arrived for Marion Rottenhofer, Karin Hougaard and Gaëtane Bouchez who plays the role of Anna in the Mata Hari show in Dutch, German and French, respectively. With increasing inner strength the story of Mata Hari is hurled into the theatre.  For this performance, Herman van Veen applies a totally unique quality to the history, by choosing a combination of monologue, dance and song.