Spinoza

17th-century Amsterdam.
A city that sees itself as a safe haven.
A community of Portuguese-Jewish refugees.
Three children, one family.

Bento (Spinoza), Rebecca, and Miriam are siblings. They grow up together; in the same family, with the same history, in the same city… And yet, they are all completely different. Their dreams collide.

Bento is a free thinker who dares to radically question God, faith, and tradition. He asks questions — too sharp, too free. Rebecca chooses safety within the community, choosing to belong. Miriam longs for a freedom that doesn’t exist for her, simply because she is a woman. While the children start out with a close bond, they grow further apart until a deep divide opens between them. Love becomes forbidden. Ideas become dangerous. And tolerance turns out, to be a flexible concept.

Between thought and desire

Against the backdrop of the Amsterdam Forest and driven by powerful songs, we follow the family in their struggle with faith, freedom, and desire. As the city is ravaged by war and disease, they lose one another. But even when they are apart, they remain forever connected.

Why Spinoza in 2026

Spinoza is a deeply human story about love, conviction, and the courage to think differently. It shows that a society cannot survive on a single voice alone. We need the thinkers who dare to question everything. We need the people who remind us of where we come from. And we need the bridge-builders: those who connect and bring people together, especially when the differences are great. Only together can we remain human. Only together can we stay free.

Order before March 16 and get a discount!

Book your tickets before March 15 for an early bird discount*: pay only €15 instead of €24.50! No discount code is needed. Simply select the ‘early bird’ ticket type during the checkout process (or the ‘try-out discount’ for June 2, 3, and 4).

* This discount is only valid for performances from June 2 to June 13 (excluding the premiere). Early bird tickets are available until March 15.

English subtitles every night

Want to bring your non-Dutch speaking friends, family, acquaintances, or colleagues? No problem! This year, every performance of Spinoza will feature English subtitles. Easy, right?

Credits

Spinoza is made possible with the support of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Municipality of Groningen, and the Province of Groningen. It is also supported by Internationaal Theater Amsterdam as an alliance partner of the Amsterdamse Bostheater.