A production by Andrea van Beek in colaboration with Newton | Amsterdam
DUETS WITH JIM is a highly personal musical theatre production about a mother and her severely disabled son. Jim couldn’t walk or talk – but he made the most beautiful sounds. Gripped by the musicality of this, his mother recorded these sounds. Andrea van Beek, a classically trained singer, asked composers to write a duet for her and her son.
Each composition illuminates a different aspect of their lives together and is in a different musical style. Backed by bass clarinetist Gareth Davis and Jim (on tape), Van Beek sings about her struggle with reality and finding beauty.
Her story deals with the pain of having a child with very severe disabilities; the need to look at life differently; the simplicity of unconditional love; the fun of everyday life and the harshness of death.
Jim’s story is all about pure lust for life and passion.
DUETS WITH JIM premiered at Operadagen Rotterdam in the Krijn Boon Studio of Theater Rotterdam Schouwburg on Saterday, 28 may 2016.
CREDITS
tape Jim Bouwens soprano Andrea van Beek bass clarinet Gareth Davis composition Ron Ford, Morris Kliphuis, Gábor Tarján, Jacob ter Veldhuis en Huba de Graaff director Xander Straat lighting design Yaron Abulafia lighting technician Bas Berensen sound design Leo Knikman costumes Team/10
QUOTES
NRC Handelsblad
'A moving duet between a mother and a son who has multiple disabilities'
Davo van Peursen (director Donemus)
'One of the most poignant productions. Extremely powerful music from Ron Ford, Morris Kliphuis and Gabor Tarjan. Moving texts by Andrea van Beek and wonderfully performed! Unforgettable!'
Geert van Hove (Professor of Disability Studies in the Netherlands)
'With her DUETS WITH JIM, Ms van Beek proves that we need projects that dare embark on a cross-over between art, the expertise that comes from experience, and science. An exceptional and extremely musical experience – recommended.'