Beyond Therapy

Year

2015 - 2016

Creatives

Director: Elsemiek Hes

Production Leader: Floor Mijland

Writer

Christopher Durang

Synopsis

Beyond Therapy is a quirky comedy about a lonely woman (Prudence) who replies to a personal ad and meets an eccentric, outspoken bisexual man (Bruce) who wants Prudence to be the mother of his children.. and this is five minutes into their conversation. If Bruce sounds like he needs to be in therapy, he is. So is Prudence. However, both of their therapists are even more mentally messed up than the distraught main characters.

Beyond Therapy uses absurdist humor in that the characters often say and do outrageous things to people who respond in equally outrageous, and often unbelievable ways. The play also features elements of farce in that there are romantic complications that culminate in a chaotic third act. Finally, Durang’s comedy is laced with satire; in particular it parodies the potentially dysfunctional relationship between therapist AND client. There’s Charlotte, who stumbles over the simplest of words, and who references the play Equus as a good source of advice, and who interacts with her patients with the help of a stuffed Snoopy doll. And then there’s libidinous Stuart, who once slept with Prudence. One of the subplots features Bob, Bruce’s jilted male lover. Since Bruce has decided that he wants to settle down with a woman and raise a family, Bob obviously feels a little resentful.

Cast

Tim Leegte: Bruce

Pleun van Engelen: Prudence

Dorian Smilda: Dr Stuart Framingham

Berber Aardema: Mrs Charlotte Wallace

Fer Peterson: Bob

Aubrey Williams: Andrew

Crew

Giovanna Boeri van der Zee (Hair & Make-Up)

Naomi Brouwer (Costume Design)

Jorine Buthker (PR Team)

Jan Hein Dikkers (Set Design)

Robin van Gammeren (PR Team)

Phoebe Janssen (Costume Design)

Anna Kamminga (Prop Master)

Anique Menninga (PR Team)

Emmy Rommers (Set Design)

Michelle Ruwen (PR Team)

Cemre Tepecik (Hair & Make-Up)

Rodney Wierenga (Set Design)

Erik Woering (Prop Master)

Amara Zahid (Costume Design)

Joppe van der Zwan (Prop Master)

Booklet

Yet to be retrieved.

Performances

June 9th 2016: Usva Cultureel Studentencentrum

June 10th 2016: Usva Cultureel Studentencentrum

June 11th 2016: Usva Cultureel Studentencentrum

Special Thanks

Huis de Beurs

Hein Mijland

Jessie Syme

Tim Chandler

Daan van de Wetering

Hillie de Koe

Joppe van Dijk

Jeroen Alkema

Lola Kraan

Jildau Stoelwinder

Thomas Groenbroek

Sanne van Opstal

Kevin Kornelis

Aleks Gierz

James Lyon

Sofie Heirman

Our family and friends for emotional support

Trivia

Beyond Therapy had a unique setting in which the audience was sitting at restaurant tables in between two stages, which were both used alternately. This was done due to multiple happening at a restaurant.
Beyond Therapy was nominated for a Cardozo Award, namely best actress (Pleun van Engelen).