enjoy a showcase of four short plays at our

Variety theater show

9-11 May 2025 | Park avenue theater

A ShowCASE of Four SHort Plays

Join us for an evening of short plays put on by English Theatre Netherlands, a collaboration of four theatre groups: The Cauldron, Acting Club Netherlands, Park Avenue Theater, and Playhouse Theater group.

During this showcase, you’ll see 4 short plays (15-20 min each) - find out more below about the plays below! The event will take place between 9-11 May at Park Avenue Theater.

  • Friday 9th May - 20:00 [SOLD OUT]

  • Saturday 10th May (matinee) - 16:00 [SOLD OUT]

  • Saturday 10th May - 20:00 [SOLD OUT]

  • Sunday 11th May - 13:00 [SOLD OUT]

Come enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the Park Avenue Theater, meet the theater groups, their directors and actors for a fun sampling of Amsterdam English Speaking Theatre!

About the plays

THE CAULDRON
The Cauldron will perform: “The History of Cardenio”  (15 min)
Written and Directed by Jon Madge.

A computer science and a literature student meeting, becoming friends and trying to resurrect a Shakespeare play. On the way, they clash over what’s important, the meaning of words and the real meaning of friendships.

ACTING CLUB NETHERLANDS
Acting Club Netherlands will perform: “The Cagebirds”
Written by David Campton. Directed by Micha Volkov.

Several women live trapped in a locked room under the watchful eye of a Warden, each absorbed in her own interest. The balance is disrupted by an arrival of a newcomer who refuses to submit to captivity. She attempts to convince others to break out of the room to find freedom. This sparks conflict among the inhabitants, culminating in a shattering conclusion.

PARK AVENUE THEATER
Park Avenue Theater will perform: “Shakespeare Amnesia Theater”
Written & directed by Jo van der Meij & Shakespeare (although they have not worked together).

Doctor Clarkson is the driving force behind SAT, an acting group consisting of patients suffering from short term memory loss. They are putting on a production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. They have a rehearsal open to the audience, in which they will showcase their talents. But nothing seems to go quite as planned..

PLAYHOUSE THEATERGROUP
Playhouse will perform: “Chances In The Rain”
Written by Robert Scott. Directed by Brian Ligthart.

Edward and Michelle are waiting for their dates in the same park. Both seem to have been stood up, yet they aren't very sympathetic to one another. But there are two other lonely people on hand, and things resolve neatly... eventually.

Meet the Team of “The History of Cardenio”

  • Jon Madge

    WRITER AND DIRECTOR

    Jon is a writer and director with a love for new and innovative theatre. Since moving to Amsterdam, they’ve worked on several award winning productions, including the Cauldron’s Addams Family and DSL’s The Arsonists, both praised for their direction, and helped found the Campfire of New Writing night of short plays. Jon’s just finishing work on Keeping the Zoo, an audio sitcom homage to classic radio comedies, which will launch on all good podcast apps later this year.

  • Rosemary Lloyd

    AS HOLLY

    Rosemary Lloyd has been performing in musical theatre for almost 20 years. She is a versatile performer with experience in musical theatre, classical singing, and stage production. She has portrayed roles such as Rose Fenny in Dogfight, Di in Di and Viv and Rose, and Maggie Winslow in A Chorus Line.

    She has received extensive vocal training, including classical voice studies with Monique Simon at the Conservatoire de Luxembourg and coaching with Anna Langner. In addition to performing, Rosemary has worked backstage in makeup, costuming, and stagehand roles.

  • Blace Newkirk

    AS DEV

    Blace Newkirk is an American-born, Swedish national living in the Netherlands. In the nearly three years since his second immigration he has been seen on stages in and around Amsterdam in various musicals such as Spelling Bee and Addams Family with the Cauldron, Dogfight with Stichting MAE as well as Cinderella, Spamalot, A Chorus Line and most recently Once Upon a Mattress with HEA. His day job is currently moving large boxes with big machines at IKEA Haarlem, but you can also see him in the music video for John de Bever’s Belle en het Beest. He thanks his friend Jon for writing a fun and relevant script, and his co-star and partner Rosemary for working with him every day.

Location:

Park Avenue Theater,
De Roos van Dekamaweg 4, 1061 HT Amsterdam