Winter storm forces widespread theater and concert cancellations across the country
Severe winter weather on Wednesday forced multiple theater performances and concerts across the Netherlands to be canceled or postponed, including Doe Maar! in Leusden and De Bevers in Barendrecht, as slippery roads and heavy snow made travel unsafe for audiences.
The AFAS Theater in Leusden canceled the Wednesday 2 p.m. performance of Doe Maar!, a musical about the Dutch band, due to slippery roads and heavy traffic. Other shows this week are still scheduled. “The roads can be slick and busy. Our advice is to allow extra travel time and drive carefully,” the producers said.
Comedian Nienke Plas also canceled her Wednesday show at SPOT Groningen. On Instagram, she said, “The performance will be rescheduled. It’s better for everyone. Better for me and for the people who would have come.” Ticket holders will be informed of the new date.
The musical duo De Bevers canceled their Wednesday show at Theater het Kruispunt in Barendrecht. Partner Kees Stevens said, “We learned our theater performance in Barendrecht will not proceed. The theater decided it is not safe enough for guests to attend. We thoroughly understand. Safety comes first.” Ticket holders will receive notifications by email about the rescheduled show.
Berget Lewis’s New Year’s concert at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam was postponed to Sunday, February 15. In a video message, Lewis told ticket holders, “We were really looking forward to the concert, but the weather simply doesn’t allow it. Safety comes first.” The rescheduled performance will also serve as a Valentine’s concert. Tickets remain valid or may be exchanged for a credit.
Other cancellations included Dial M for Murder in Heerlen, the Noord Nederlands Orkest in Stadskanaal, and the musical Vooruit with Simone Kleinsma and Paul Groot in Helmond.
The Bruno Mars tribute band Treasure canceled its show in Spijkenisse. Antoon’s Wednesday club tour tryout at Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam had been canceled previously.
Some shows are continuing despite the snow and icy roads. Hairspray!, starring Richard Groenendijk, will go on Wednesday evening in Maaspoort, Venlo. Producers Ruud de Graaf and Hans Cornelissen said they are monitoring conditions closely and remain “optimistic the show will proceed as planned.”
In Amsterdam, dance performances by Igone de Jongh and Marijn Rademaker at DeLaMar Theater, as well as the musical Fiasco! by Släpstick, are scheduled to continue unless the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) issues a red alert.
Het Nationale Theater in The Hague confirmed that all Wednesday and Thursday shows will continue. Refunds or vouchers are available for those unable to attend.
André Rieu’s sold-out New Year’s concerts at Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on Friday and Saturday are expected to proceed.
De Vrienden van Amstel Live, starting Friday at Rotterdam Ahoy with 15,000 attendees per night, is taking precautions, including extra salting on roads and parking areas. Entry policies may allow later arrivals if the weather worsens.
Other theaters, including Afas Live and Afas Circustheater Scheveningen, have no performances scheduled this week. Shows such as Moulin Rouge in the Beatrix Theater, Utrecht, are expected to continue, with organizers monitoring conditions closely.
