De Vliegende Hollander 8+ / Dubai

When?

Date(s) – 26/04/2014
12:00 am

What?

This show is in Dutch.

THE STORY

The legend of The Flying Dutchman (De Vliegende Hollander) is said to have started in 1641, set at sea around the Cape of Good Hope. Captain Willem van der Decken had just offloaded his cargo in Cape Town and was anxious to get back to sea again. His crew, however, begged to stay in port, as the weather was turning foul. Van der Decken would not listen and he sailed out of Cape Town straight into a hurricane. For days he fought against the elements, even lashing himself to the wheel, so that he would not be swept overboard. He cursed God, saying that even He could not make him change his mind and swore that he would sail on until he met the ends of the earth. The ship glowed a red colour and disappeared forever into the storm. The legend says that the Flying Dutchman continues to sail forever, as a ghost ship, trying still to sail around the Cape of Storms.

MichaelandCaja’s 8+ theatrical telling of the infamous story is about 45 minutes and links beautifully to class theme’s of 17th century trade, The Golden Age and VOC. Additionally the show offers an opening to discuss the origin of legends, their truth and/or falsehood and the different perspectives of time and culture upon events.