The Pauper's Paradise | AFAS Theater

The Pauper's Paradise tells one of the most dramatic, hidden histories of the Netherlands. In the 19th century, poverty was enormous. Tens of thousands of orphans and paupers were put on a ship to Drenthe to be re-educated. But what began as an idealistic experiment to eradicate poverty ended in tragedy in practice.

In Het Pauperparadijs we follow the Amsterdam orphan boy Teunis, who is suddenly deported with his sister Aagje to the Veenhuizen institutions. Looking for a way out back home, he falls in love with guards' daughter Cato. Their forbidden love and the unequal struggle against authority make their lives impossible. In the end, they try to escape.

With great actors, a spectacular set, impressive live music by LAVALU and the Pauperparadise band and an updated story with current social issues by director Tom de Ket (of De Verleiders and Mammoet, among others).

Het Pauperparadijs can be seen exclusively at the AFAS Theater this summer.