Today, during the Dutch Theatre Festival at Theater Bellevue, the BNG Theatre Prize 2024 was awarded to theatre makers Sue-Ann Bel and Hali Neto. They received this prize, worth 45,000 euros, for the performance Let's Go Barbie by Maas theatre and dance.
According to the jury: 'With Let's Go Barbie, Sue-Ann Bel and Hali Neto have created an impressive performance that captivates both young and old. Complex themes such as freedom and conformity are woven into the performance in a seemingly effortless way. The creators succeed in showing how toys can be both a straitjacket and a source of freedom. The combination of playful elements and a serious undertone creates a dynamic experience that really gets the audience thinking. With Let's Go Barbie, Sue-Ann Bel and Hali Neto show that they are ready for more.'
'The combination of playful elements and a serious undertone creates a dynamic experience that really gets the audience thinking.'Jury for the BNG Theatre Award 2024
The BNG Theatre Award was created to encourage emerging theatre talent and, with a prize of €45,000, is the largest theatre award in the Netherlands. The winner can use the prize money to take the winning production on tour to Dutch theatres and/or invest in a new production. The BNG Culture Fund takes an active approach to promoting new talent. The BNG Theatre Award aims to serve as a springboard for the most promising theatre makers, who receive extra attention at the Dutch Theatre Festival. All new theatre makers touring the Netherlands with a production can be nominated for the award by surprise.