A Summer Day Full of Longing and Uncertainty
In The Beach, young people take you to the shoreline—a place where you expose yourself to the sun, the water, and to each other. It’s a setting where bodies, desires, and social rules play a central role. The performance explores how young people relate to their own bodies and to one another. What does it mean to be seen? And who decides what is beautiful?
On stage, you see a beach in constant motion. People come and go—alone or together. Friends, families, and strangers cross paths. The young people in the performance are the real actors. They share their experiences and thoughts. All other roles are played by puppets, creating a disorienting yet playful effect.
The scenes emerged from conversations with young people and visits to the beach during the summer theater program. Improvisations formed the foundation for the scenes, giving the performance an authentic and personal feel. You’ll see familiar moments, but also unexpected turns. Sometimes the beach is a place of peace, sometimes of tension or discomfort. That variety makes the performance dynamic and surprising.
Through imagery, lighting, and sound, the performance zooms in on the emotions of the young characters. What lies behind a glance or a gesture? What do you feel when you hold someone’s hand for the first time—or when you’re left out? You’ll hear the inner voices of the characters as they speak about desire, shame, lust, and love. Without judgment, but with care and nuance.
The Beach is tender and sharp at once. It shows how young people discover themselves in a world full of expectations—how they move between freedom and social pressure. And how the beach—seemingly open and free—can also be a place defined by rules and boundaries.
This performance is created by Het Paleis, in collaboration with young people. They invite you to watch, to listen, and to feel along. What does the beach mean to you? A place of relaxation? Or of tension? You may recognize yourself in the stories. Or perhaps see something new. One thing is certain: after The Beach, you’ll never look at a day at the seaside the same way again.
This performance is part of SHIFT, an initiative by Explore the North and Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie.
SHIFT presents raw, honest, relevant, and disruptive performing arts. You come to SHIFT because you want to understand what’s going on—in your mind, in the world, with others, and within yourself, on every scale. It’s for curious thinkers and critical dreamers.
All year round, SHIFT brings you must-see performances in unexpected places—off the beaten path of traditional theater. From spoken word to postmodern dance. From theatrical manifestos to poetic requiems. These are performances by both emerging and established makers, engaging with the present and the future.