The Discovery of Bliss: A Girl, a Male Nun and a Coward

Preface

Introduction into Heaven forfend!

Written and directed by Remy L. Overkempe, and produced by Lenette Vlasman and Overkempe for VU University Amsterdam, this English-language play will premiere in Amsterdam in April 2011, and it will play there for a limited time only.

Performed by the Funest Theatre Company, the play will feature actors from the 2009 Amsterdam production of Naomi Wallace's The Fever Chart (which was developed by VU University Amsterdam's English department as well), ensuring that both the development and the performance will be a grand ol' time.

The estimated running time of the stage play is ninety minutes, in two acts, encompassing three themes: acceptance, free will, and consequence.

April 2011. The theatrical Apocalypse. Mark your calendars.

The Main Characters

Who are accessories to this blasphemy?

Divas!

• Lenette VlasmanAs the stubborn Julie
• Zoser KhalilIn the role of Vinci
• Thomas van HoutPlaying both Ireul and Jesus

Towers of Strength!

• Jan Peter EgginkOh My: God
• Zadok SamsonIs none other than Gabriel
• Marlous IkkingAs St Peter in drag: Petra

Minor League!

• T.B.D.Made from Julie a dress-wearing man
• Charissa RahmeeTurned Vinci into a woman
• Marjolein GroenewegenIs God's personal Server
• Jonathan CoffengPhanuel all the way
• Kasia WojtylakAs a Walmart-employed Demon
• Saskia CluistraThe unsuspecting Merchant
• Afra van der MarktSpies on people as Ha-Satan

The Stage Play

An explanation of what the play is about

“It's a bit odd, isn't it? Immortality. Infiniteness. Timelessness. A life that will never end. In the mortal world it sounded so glorious, so enchanting, so beautiful, but then when one finally gets the chance to lead an immortal life—”

— Julie

Julie sums up her main problem with heaven perfectly. Through trial-and-error she examines her immortal existence, and drags the helpless Vinci along with her.

Heaven forfend! is a stage play about accountability, religious belief, taking things for granted, and portraying the true life in heaven. (And those unholy ones managing it.) Furthermore, seduction of the Almighty, being bitchy and sarcastic, and the concept of moral destiny are explored and satirised.

One thing's for sure: neither of those horrific things are in the play. No, sir. Both the Catholic Church and Emily Post's ghost can be pleased about that.

For a more in-depth analysis, check out "The Meaning of Heaven forfend!" by the author.

Production

Photos! Videos! Testimonies!

Credits

Written and directed by Remy L. Overkempe; promotion by Ratna Marapin. Performed by Funest Theatre Company. Presented by Lenette Vlasman, Remy L. Overkempe, Martian Prince and VU University Amsterdam.

Theatre to be determined. Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

With: Lenette Vlasman (Julie), Zoser Khalil (Vinci) and Thomas van Hout (Ireul and Jesus); also starring Jan Peter Eggink (God), Zadok Samson (Gabriel), Marlous Ikking (Petra); Charissa Rahmee (Female Vinci), Marjolein Groenewegen (Server), Jonathan Coffeng (Phanuel), Kasia Wojtylak (Demon), Saskia Cluistra (Merchant) and Afra van der Markt (Ha-Satan).

Multimedia

'Tis a-comin'.

Socialise

I tweeted, He facebooked, We hashtaged

Social Media

Want to socialise with us? Even though that it is incredibly creepy that you want to, you actually can.

You can find the play on Twitter by either just following Martian Prince's account (@martianprince), or by searching for our hashtag: #heavenforfend.

Additionally, you can follow the producers Lenette Vlasman (@DirectorTuk) and Remy L. Overkempe (@empoor) on Twitter. They like to be stalked.

More into Facebook? Don't worry, we have our own community page!

Directly Contacting Us

Tickets

Buy Your Tickets Online, or at the Theatre

Tickets aren't on sale yet. Sorry!