Theatre company LUSU plays BRADA, a compelling performance about freedom and justice through the eyes of Javanese-Surinamese freedom fighters. Five friends take you back to the turbulent 1970s and 1980s in Suriname, a time of change and independence.

In cooperation with Writers Unlimited, prior to BRADA, a free supporting act will be on show from 19:30 in the foyer of Theater De Vaillant with performances by alternative R&B musician XILLAN and, from Suriname, by poet Stefanie Parisius-Sewotaroeno.

The multidisciplinary performance BRADA shows the impact of centuries of oppression and personal stories of Surinamese people fighting for freedom, with humour, music, dance and confrontation. A love letter to the older generation, BRADA offers insight into survival mechanisms and forgotten freedom fighters.

LUSU creates theatre experiences for the tiktok generation. Fast-paced, socially stimulating scenes mixed with self-written alternative pop, R&B and rap, intimate visuals, narrative and connecting food. LUSU broaches difficult and unspoken topics in a personal way and manages to deliver them with humour and lightness. LUSU makes non-Western storytelling accessible to a wide audience in a modern way. LUSU is under the artistic direction of Dewi Kasmo and was founded by her in 2016 out of the need to create a place she had not yet found in the existing theatre world.

XILLAN (1993, Paramaribo) grew up in Suriname with his twin brother Jeangu and came to the Netherlands in 2016 to study at the pop department of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. He developed into a successful singer-songwriter of alternative R&B and writer. XILLAN's music offers a poetic view of the world and his multiple cultural background. Similar to artists like Omar Apollo, Steve Lacy and Daniel Caesar, he creates a unique sound that reflects current times. In 2022, XILLAN releases his debut EP Crowning Gods; in early 2025, his first novel, Mensen als zonnen en mensen als manen (People Like Suns and People Like Moons) tells of growing up as a Black queer boy in Suriname and how notions of masculinity affect an individual's life. Besides the novel, XILLAN is working on a theatre performance and a new music album. On Sunday 25 January 2025, he is one of the artists performing in the Writers Unlimited jubilee show Playing with Fire at Amare, The Hague.

Stefanie Parisius-Sewotaroeno (Suriname, 1993) is a author of Javanese descent who mainly writes poetry. She grew up in De Hulp, Commewijne and draws inspiration from culture, nature and social issues. In 2016, she won the Write Now! Audience Award, in 2022 she was a participant of Vrystaat Kunstefees in South Africa and in 2023 one of her poems was featured in the exhibition Famiri Familie of Stadsarchief Amsterdam and Nationaal Archief Suriname. Stefanie is currently working on her debut. She is one of 18 Flemish and Dutch writing talents inspired by works from the Mauritshuis collection in The Hague for the series Oude werken, jonge schrijvers (Old Works, Young Writers). As part of the Writers Unlimited festival, the authors will recite their work live at The Mauritshuis on the evening of Friday 24 January 2025.

CREDITS BRADA

Script: Dewi Kasmo

Choreography: Rudolf Doelasan

With: Dewi Kasmo, Rudolf Doelasan, Gianluca Koeswanto, Santhino Piqué, Tyler Koudijzer, RyanTino Troenokarso, Gilbert Madnoersan

Composition and music: Nina Giampaolo

Costume and set design: Maite Prince

Costume manufacture: Lisa Maartense

Set building: Einstein Design

Dramaturgy: Mathieu Charles

Direction: Samora Bergtop

Direction assistant: Lindsey Soetodrono

Technique: Youri Wezenaar, Robert Jan Schmidt

Videography: Gilbert Madnoersan

Photography: Michelle Urbiztondo, Jaap Kroon