Amsterdamse Bostheater
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Bosfest 2025 presents

Sabbath

Niek Wagenaar’s Nymphs

Foto van de voorstelling
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Voor Nederlands, klik hier

In the mystical glow of the full moon, three figures gather for an enchanting ritual. Far removed from society’s norms, a game of light and darkness unfolds — a macabre dance moving counterclockwise, fueled by devilish energy. Here, the Sabbath takes place: a night of magic, mystery, and transformation.

Sabbath is an ode to the outsider, a celebration of queerness and the power of witchcraft. In this dance performance, choreographer Niek Wagenaar and his dance company Nymphs reimagine the traditional image of the witch. The witch is no longer a figure of fear and exclusion, but a symbol of empowerment, resistance, and self-discovery. The witches’ sabbath becomes a safe space where everyone can be themselves, where identity and community are celebrated.

Witness the Sabbath, where boundaries blur and magic hangs in the air. Enter at your own risk, for when night falls, the witch awakens.

The potentially transgressive, antinomian, and outsider qualities of “witch” are echoed in “queer,” in the sense that both terms have been reclaimed, repurposed, and reinvented — not as derogatory slurs, but rather as identities of celebration, empowerment, transformation, and resistance.
— Julian Vayne, modern witch

In the press

The movements of the talented dancers alternate between graceful and animalistic.
Theaterkrant

About the makers

Nymphs is the Amsterdam-based dance company led by young choreographer Niek Wagenaar. The company tackles major contemporary themes in a deeply personal and intimate way. With a sensitive movement language, Niek’s performances tell relatable stories rooted in universal emotions. His work is fluid and organic, sensual yet powerful and dynamic, rhythmically intriguing, and rich in physical sensations and visual metaphors.

His first work, Nymphs, received awards both nationally and internationally. His previous piece, After All, was also highly praised by Dutch critics and even toured as far as South Korea.

Credits

  • Niek Wagenaar - Choreography |
  • Filippo Gualandris, Nina Keijzer, Linde Wagemakers - Dancers |
  • Tom van Wee - Music |
  • Sophie Prins - Vocals |
  • Rodrigo Ribeiro - Set and lighting design |
  • Polina Skaia - Costumes |
  • Jasper van Luijk - Outside eye |
  • ICK Dans Amsterdam, Karavaan, De Schuur, Makershuis Alkmaar, De Landing, Theater Ins Blau, Gemeente Alkmaar, Gravin van Bylandt Stichting, Janivo Stichting, Dioraphte Stichting, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst - With thanks to |
  • Lisa de Faria, Swapcult, Suzy Blok, Sophie Cohlen, Lisa van den Burg - Special thanks

 

 

Ticket costs

  • Tickets
    € 12,50

Additional information

Entrance Bosfestivalhart
This performance is part of Bosfest 2025. To attend the performance, you also need to have an entry ticket for the Bosfestivalhart. Purchase your entry ticket here.

Performance times
The listed performance times include the walk to the performance location and back to the heart of the festival.

Schedule
View the timetable for Bosfest 2025 here.

Details performance

  • Bosfest
  • icoon van het woord ENG
    Language no problem
  • icoon van een persoon in een rolstoel
    Wheelchair Accessible

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