If you feel like doing something different this weekend, check what’s on in the theatre, says student columnist Mirte Brouwer. The threshold is low, the tickets are cheap, and it’s a lot of fun.
(Photo: Sam Rentmeester)
A while ago, I was working with a project group on campus. During a break we started talking about weekend plans, and I mentioned that I was going to see a play. One of my teammates looked at me in surprise. “You sound like you actually enjoy that.” What’s not to like? I spend all day at my laptop, so in the evening it’s nice to do something that doesn’t involve a screen. Yet another movie just feels dull. And going to the theatre actually feels like an outing.
What helps, of course, are student and youth discounts. Because, let’s be honest, most students don’t have a lot to spare for theatre tickets – unless they quietly put it on Uncle DUO’s bill. But he tends to remember things, and brings it up later. With interest. So student discounts are a wonderful invention. If a ticket costs EUR 100, you’ll think twice before going. But for EUR 10 or EUR 20? Why not give it a try?
And we’re lucky – plenty of theatres are easy to reach from Delft. If you want to stay nearby, there’s Theater de Veste and the Rietveld Theater (in Dutch). At Theater de Veste, student discounts are usually only a few euros – not a lot, but a nice gesture. The theatre lectures are genuinely affordable and often worth it. The Rietveld Theater is temporarily housed in Hal015 in the Kabeldistrict, where they have a cosy hall and some slightly improvised bathroom stalls. Some shows offer student discounts. After a show, you can hop on your bike to go home.
It’s charming to see an opera with only young people on stage
If you don’t mind traveling a bit further, Rotterdam and The Hague are both around the corner. You probably have a student transport card, so a short train ride won’t hurt. Theater Rotterdam sells youth tickets for EUR 10 for the small stages and EUR 12.50 for the main auditorium. Great for a house night, by the way. We once went to a ballet, and even my housemates who “don’t like ballet” had a good time. In The Hague, Amare is only a short walk from Central Station and always has something going on. They sell youth tickets for EUR 15 and last-minute tickets at the same price. Also fun: the Dutch National Opera Academy performs there sometimes – it’s charming to see an opera with only young people on stage.
If you’re up for a bit more travel, Amsterdam has both the Concertgebouw and the Dutch National Opera & Ballet. With sprint tickets, you can see concerts in the small hall for EUR 11 and EUR 18 for the main auditorium. If you prefer planning ahead – and since you’ll be travelling to Amsterdam, – that’s understandable, you can join the Entrée youth association for discounts on lots of performances. The National Opera & Ballet also offers sprint tickets for EUR 20. Discounted student tickets are sometimes available further in advance. Join their mailing list to hear about these. And they have a youth association, My Muse & Me, which also lets you buy discounted tickets too.
So there’s plenty to explore. If you feel like doing something different this weekend, check what’s on. The threshold is low, the tickets are cheap – and it’s a lot of fun.
Mirte Brouwer is a master’s student in Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft and a master’s student in Dutch Literature and Literary studies at VU University Amsterdam.
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m.c.brouwer@student.tudelft.nl
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