Beleg deals with the choices and dilemmas that war brings, but also with the struggle of politicians who must make decisions over the heads of the population, and with populism that fuels citizens' suspicions. What is freedom worth when famine reigns?

In this play, Magdalena Moons emerges as a heroine of the Relief of Leiden. She is the lover of the Spanish army commander Don Francisco de Valdez. The starving city is on the verge of surrender, but can Magdalena convince her lover to postpone a Spanish attack?

In 1774, Lucretia van Merken wrote 'Het Beleg der stadt Leyden' (The Siege of Leiden) for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Relief of Leiden. She wrote the play in alexandrines and in rhyme. Bart Vieveen has modernized and made the play accessible, while retaining its original form.

In my scenography, fences formed boundaries between people and council, between politics and riot. Live phone camera footage merged into a projected media layer, which also displayed memories, still current events, and emotions.

Beleg (2024)

Scenography, (live) video projections
Actors: Erik Siebel, Frank van den Boom, Tom Zwanenburg, Henric Jansen, Jaap de Jong, Laurens Mingelen, Maaike Damen, Lidewij Gerits, Rein Siebel
Citizens of Leiden and choir: Leids Kamerkoor Het Zingend Hart o.l.v. Machteld van de Putte
Text editing and direction: Bart Vieveen
Co-direction: Erik Siebel
Music: Antonio Vivaldi, Huub de Vriend
Lighting design: Michelle Hoogwout
Costumes and makeup: Michèle Wernars
Photography (photos above): Jamie Korbee

Leidse Schouwburg, 5 performances, 2024