Hanneke van der Paardt wins BNG Theatre Award 2025

The award ceremony

The festive ceremony took place in the presence of creators, colleagues, the press and the public. Moderator Vincent Wijlhuizen talked to all the nominees about their work and motivations. The winner was then announced. Hanneke van der Paardt accepted the award to loud applause. 

Jury on BANG

According to the jury, BANG is a performance in which Van der Paardt effortlessly allows us to share in her inner world:

''Hanneke van der Paardt skilfully constructs a cycle of thoughts that cannot be resolved, thus providing a unique insight into the mechanism of fear.

On a sober stage – just a table, a chair, white walls and a projector – she weaves memories, observations and feelings into a carefully constructed narrative. By making direct contact with the audience, she creates an intimate experience that leaves room for reflection and a glimmer of hope. 

The other nominees for 2025

In addition to BANG, the following performances were also nominated this year and could be seen during the Dutch Theatre Festival:

• Çiğdem Polak – Göbek Aşkı 
• Just van Bommel / Frascati Producties – Dear Frail Male
• Charles Pas – Person Longing for Human
• Hidde Brouwers & Jorg van den Kieboom | het zuid land – Liberty Bell

BNG Theatre Prize

The BNG Theatre Prize is the largest incentive prize for emerging theatre talent in the Netherlands, with a cash prize of €45,000. The winner can use this to reprise the performance for a tour or invest in a new production.

With this prize, the BNG Culture Fund offers promising creators a springboard and increases their visibility, among other things through the award ceremony during the Dutch Theatre Festival. Creators who are touring the Netherlands with a production are eligible for nomination.

Photo: Mark Bolk