Fireplay: the flaming show at Treehouse

Tinka and Zenzi are both fresh out of high school and initially ended up at the NDSM shipyard with their face mask company. Meanwhile, they moved to the east wing in the NDSM Loods where they came into contact with NDSM Fuse and the artists from the City of Art, among others. “That's when we actually thought, why don't we do something creative?” says Tinka, “there is Fireplay hatched. It's the first major project for both of us, and I also call myself a starting cultural entrepreneur.”

“We've both always been into theater,” Zenzi adds, “for me, there has gradually become more and more interested in the production side. I really directed a play for the first time two years ago, I really liked that. Unfortunately, that production had to be cut off due to corona.”

‍

‍

“We work really well together, we're really a collaborative idea machine,” Zenzi continues, “we call that a “hivemind”. Then we came to the idea that we wanted to make a dialogue, i.e. a play with two people. Precisely because that way, we were also able to keep it small if necessary due to the pandemic. Actually, it's only been a few weeks that we've been handing things over. Suddenly, we have actors and a production assistant, etc. It's like watching your baby grow up.” Tinka nods in agreement. “Indeed, it has suddenly become bigger than us alone,” she says, “it's also a great way to get to know people at the NDSM shipyard and see how everyone thinks along with you and wants to help you where possible. For example, we initially wanted to play the piece in public spaces, but then ended up with Treehouse as they have more facilities and experience in this area. They were immediately enthusiastic as they also played a bit of a role on site by helping young, beginning makers. That's how the ball started rolling”

Look:

Next, the two young theater makers tell us a bit more about where Fireplay is about content. “The idea originates from the concept of cyclicity,” Zenzi begins, “the idea that everything in nature is not just progress but a cycle of phenomena that recur all the time. If you are in that cycle, you may not fully realize that the moment you are sitting in is a repetition of what once happened in a certain way. For example, the end of a relationship is often seen as a tragic end to a good time, while it can also be the beginning of something new.”

“From this concept, we started with the idea of dialogue,” Tinka continues, “we wanted to fully build two people in the play and explore how their personalities, experiences and habits interrelated. In it, we try to make a story that does not have a beginning and an end, but is a cycle.”

“The characters in the play are named Daan and Doris,” Zenzi continues, “these are two girls who have been in a relationship for a few years and are both very present people in different ways. In their dealings with each other, a lot has gone under the rug over the years and it all comes up in one evening.” “That then inflames a heated conversation,” Tinka adds, “the play shows how the history of both characters influences their behavior and how that can sometimes be a bit awkward between two people. In the play, these interactions are juxtaposed with natural cyclicality (think behavioral patterns that you adopted from your parents), shedding light on the relationship between two people that the audience has hopefully not seen before.”

Next, the two young theater makers tell us a bit more about where Fireplay is about content. “The idea originates from the concept of cyclicity,” Zenzi begins, “the idea that everything in nature is not just progress but a cycle of phenomena that recur all the time. If you are in that cycle, you may not fully realize that the moment you are sitting in is a repetition of what once happened in a certain way. For example, the end of a relationship is often seen as a tragic end to a good time, while it can also be the beginning of something new.”

“From this concept, we started with the idea of dialogue,” Tinka continues, “we wanted to fully build two people in the play and explore how their personalities, experiences and habits interrelated. In it, we try to make a story that does not have a beginning and an end, but is a cycle.”

“The characters in the play are named Daan and Doris,” Zenzi continues, “these are two girls who have been in a relationship for a few years and are both very present people in different ways. In their dealings with each other, a lot has gone under the rug over the years and it all comes up in one evening.” “That then inflames a heated conversation,” Tinka adds, “the play shows how the history of both characters influences their behavior and how that can sometimes be a bit awkward between two people. In the play, these interactions are juxtaposed with natural cyclicality (think behavioral patterns that you adopted from your parents), shedding light on the relationship between two people that the audience has hopefully not seen before.”

In our conversation, I notice Zenzi and Tinka's passion and energy as they're about Fireplay talk. They have used and expanded their entire network to make this production and there is a great sense of professionalism. “The proverb”no you have and yes you can get ' is very true,” says Tinka when I ask what the biggest lesson they take away from this adventure is. “With so many aspects of this production, it has been a matter of daring to ask.”
“We were on top of it all,” says Zenzi, “which really makes it a personal production, we were there for the fun and not so fun jobs, but that's also the great thing about such a project, I think.”

It promises to be a spectacular show series full of intrigue and plot twists you didn't see coming. In combination with Treehouse's artistic atmosphere, Fireplay one to put on your agenda. Bring plenty of water, because we can't guarantee that it won't get a little hot underfoot! It's also a great opportunity to get to know the creativity of young makers at NDSM and support them after a bummer when it comes to stage art.

‍