The auditorium rotates on a 360-degree track, allowing the stage sets to be built in a circle around the audience.
The theater is constructed within a repurposed hangar that was once used by the Dutch Royal Navy.
The musical is based on the autobiography of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, who served as a secret agent for the Dutch government-in-exile.
The production has been performed over 3,000 times since its debut in 2010.
The set includes a functional, full-scale replica of a Dakota transport plane.
To create the effect of the North Sea, the stage design incorporates a massive water basin.
The production was granted special status as a Dutch cultural heritage landmark due to its longevity and impact.
The venue uses a unique 'Scene-around' theater system, a patented technology specifically developed for this production.
Soldier of Orange - The Musical is performed in a custom-built, rotating theater located at the former Valkenburg Naval Air Base in Katwijk. The venue features a 360-degree rotating auditorium that moves the audience between different sets, creating an immersive experience for the production based on the life of Dutch resistance hero Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema. The show has been running since 2010 and is the longest-running musical in Dutch theater history. The theater site, known as Theater Hangaar, was specifically repurposed from a historical aircraft hangar. The production utilizes high-tech stagecraft, including a real vintage aircraft and water effects, to depict scenes from World War II. It remains a permanent fixture at the airfield, drawing international audiences to a site historically significant to the Dutch military. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, resistance, and the moral dilemmas faced during the German occupation of the Netherlands.
The life-sized Dakota aircraft displayed in the main foyer before the show.
Book your tickets well in advance, as the performance consistently sells out despite the large capacity.
Ensure you arrive early to explore the historical exhibition located in the lobby area before the show starts.
The auditorium can be cool due to the industrial nature of the building, so consider bringing a light jacket or sweater.
Do not attempt to arrive at the last minute, as the parking and shuttle process from the main gate to the hangar takes additional time.
Performances occur throughout the year, but the theater is occasionally closed for short technical maintenance breaks; check the official calendar for specific dark days.
Smart casual; photography is strictly prohibited during the actual performance but allowed in the foyer.
