From Brabant to Sierra Leone: a musical journey
Theater maker Sarah Janneh, a permanent ensemble member of NITE, brings her first solo performance to De Harmonie. In Brabo Leone, she explores what “home” truly means—from the carnival traditions of Brabant to the streets of Johannesburg and her father’s house in Sierra Leone. Hyper-musical, intimate, and urgent, the show is a heartfelt tribute by her and her band to the universal quest for belonging.
In her solo musical Brabo Leone, Sarah Janneh takes you on a deeply personal and musical journey. She shares her search for what it means to truly belong. As a child of two worlds—Brabant and Sierra Leone—she often felt caught between extremes. Between Black and White, quiet and loud, sorrow and joy.
Through songs, storytelling, and reflection, Sarah weaves these worlds together. Rather than choosing one side, she embraces the richness of all those contrasts. Each song feels like a letter from a different chapter of her life. The music is warm, honest, and full of emotion. You’ll hear influences from her childhood in the Netherlands, the streets of Johannesburg, and her family roots in Sierra Leone.
Sarah Janneh has been a permanent ensemble member of NITE since 2022, a company known for its energetic and innovative total theater. In this production, she lets her voice and story take center stage. Besides her work in theater, you might know her from TV series such as Klokhuis, Anne+, or Tropenjaren, or from her columns and social media presence, where she speaks out on topics like body positivity.
Brabo Leone is a quintessential NITE production: musical, intimate, and timely. The performance is multilingual and includes surtitles, making it accessible to a wide audience. You don’t need to understand the language to be moved.
This show is a tribute to everyone who has ever felt caught between two worlds. A warm, personal ode to finding your place—and to the idea that you don’t have to choose sides, but can exist in the in-between.
Let yourself be carried away by the powerful voice and open heart of Sarah Janneh.
This performance is part of SHIFT, an initiative by Explore the North and Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie. SHIFT presents cutting-edge performing arts: raw, honest, timely, and disruptive. You come to SHIFT because you want to understand what’s happening—inside your head, in the world, in others, in yourself, both on a large and small scale. It’s made for curious thinkers and critical dreamers.
Throughout the year, SHIFT offers must-see performances at various locations—beyond the traditional boundaries of theater. From spoken word to postmodern dance. From theatrical manifestos to poetic requiems. These are performances by both emerging and established makers who engage with today’s issues and tomorrow’s possibilities.