Dates

19 – 26 October 2025

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Studio Boekman

Running time

TBA

Tickets

From € 17

Meisje voor een spiegel, van de ene kant dansend en van de andere kant met labjas aan
Photo: Michiel Spijkers

Energetic youth opera that unites different worlds

Nia is looking for more time. With the hours she has, it just doesn’t seem possible to help her grandmother in the lab while also training in her aunt’s dance studio. Will she have to make a choice? The Theory of Everything shows that it doesn’t always have to be ‘one or the other’. This spoken-word opera blends opera and dance, classical music and spoken word in a magical and philosophical adventure. Stage director Naomi van der Linden and musical director Hanne van de Vrie jointly initiated this musical family production, with music by composer Carlijn Metselaar and text by multidisciplinary word artist Roziena Salihu. After a successful run two years ago, the production returns this autumn holiday.

Unexpected discoveries 

Grandmother, a leading scientist, wants Nia to use her exceptional mathematical talent to help her make a breakthrough in physics with the ‘theory of everything’. But her aunt, a famous dancer, sees a different talent in Nia and wants her to focus entirely on dance. But Nia wants both. As she searches for a way to combine these worlds, she discovers that apparent contradictions can lead to something new.

A unique combination of music and movement 

Not only in its story but also in its form, The Theory of Everything brings different disciplines together. This energetic youth opera shows that art and science are more closely connected than one might think. After a successful series of performances in 2023–2024, the production returns this autumn holiday. 

Ticket sales start

Ticket sales for The Theory of Everything start on 8 May 2025 at 12 noon. Don’t want to miss this on-sale moment? Sign up for our ticket alert and receive a notification when ticket sales open.

Performance information

Dutch National Opera & Ballet advises a minimum age of 8 for this performance.

Revival

Sung in Dutch

Music  Carlijn Metselaar

Libretto  Roziena Salihu

Arrangements / composition of electronic music  Jan van Eerd
Musical direction Hanne van de Vrie
Concept and stage direction  Naomi van der Linden
Set and costume design  Dymph Boss
Lighting design  Ianthe van der Hoek
Choreography  Jomecia Oosterwolde
Dramaturgy  Naomi Teekens

Nia  Houda Bibouda
Oma  Elena Vink
Tante  Jomecia Oosterwolde
Ensemble  Nienke Nasserian, Anna Traub, Joris van Baar

Slagwerk en elektronica  Jan van Eerd
Piano  Charlie Bo Meijering
Cello  Geneviève Verhage

Performances for schools
We offer an exclusive school matinee for primary school students. Explore the programme.

Order tickets

Ticket sales for The Theory of Everything start on 8 May 2025 at 12 noon. Don’t want to miss this on-sale moment? Sign up for our ticket alert and receive a notification when ticket sales open.

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Founding partner programming Studio Boekman

FONDS 21