Dutch National Opera & Ballet
How Anansi freed the stories of the world
Dates
16-25 May 2025
Location
Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage
Running time
1:30, no interval
Tickets
From € 13

Explosive mix of opera, ballet and hip-hop
Music, dance and imagination come together in How Anansi freed the stories of the world. Hailed in 2021 as “dazzling and imaginative music theatre”, this production is now back – with even more energy!
In a unique blend of styles and voices, the story of Anansi is brought to life in a way that will stay with you, full of humour, sharp wit, and the pressing question: how do you resist a ruler who controls all the stories? Enjoy operatic vocals and infectious rhythms, colourful costumes and sets, and a contemporary fusion of ballet and hip-hop.
Credits
Dutch National Opera & Ballet advises a minimum age of 8 for this performance.
Composition Neo Muyanga
Libretto Maarten van Hinte (RIGHTABOUTNOW INC.)
Musical direction Lochlan Brown
Stage director Kenza Koutchoukali
Choreography Shailesh Bahoran
Set and costume design Dieuweke van Reij
Lighting design Mike den Ottolander
Sound design Nina Kraszewska
Dramaturgy Maarten van Hinte, Wout van Tongeren and Naomi Teekens
Anansi Thando Mjandana
Makuba Katia Ledoux
Tigri Frederik Bergman
Snake the Serpent Martin Mkhize
Sisa Leopard Carla Nahadi Babelegoto
Princess Vixen Claron McFadden
The Black-and-Yellow Hornets Liza Lozica, Sabra El Bahri Khatri, Vanel Djoko
Scratch DJ DJ Abstract (Gestow Power)
Drummer Carlo Hoop
Dancers
Alexander Álvarez Silvestre*, Eva Bakker*, Sophia Bielik*, Jenson Blight*, Gabrielle Brett*, Rosa Lidia Cabrera Nuesi*, Joseph Clarke*, Javier Cubero*, Annabelle Eubanks*, Joley Groeizaam, Patrick Karijowidjojo, Ella Louise Kolpakov*, Keshaw Manna, John Murch*, Léa Sauvignon*, Amber Skaggs*, Kiddy Talany, Darius-Oriol Tamosi*, Vincent Vivet*, Lucinda Wessels, Aafke Wolles*
* Dancers of the Junior Company appear in rotating casts during the performances
Musical accompaniment Netherlands Chamber Orchestra conducted by Lochlan Brown
Co-commission and co-production Dutch National Ballet and Dutch National Opera
Performance for schools
We offer an exclusive school matinee for primary school students. For more information see here
Order tickets
Youth aged 35 and under can attend this performance for only € 15,00 (including booking fee), regardless of which price category is ordered.
Podcast
Trailer - How Anansi freed the stories of the world


Netherlands Chamber Orchestra
The Netherlands Philharmonic and Netherlands Chamber Orchestra have been the main orchestral partners of Dutch National Opera since they were established in 1985. The two orchestras, with the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam as their main base, are regarded as among the best opera orchestras in the world.
Photo: Anna van Kooij