Take a journey through the backstage of the theatre, through time, past the dressing rooms and between the costumes

Twa minuten foar oanfang is an adventurous audio route through the backstage of the theatre where you, as an audience member, in a magical way end up in the head of actor Joop Wittermans. ‘Today is the last day, after 60 years of playing it’s enough’, you hear him think. You are immediately thrown back to the very first time that Joop was asked to play in a Tryater performance. Then follows a backstage trip through dressing rooms, technical rooms and costume rooms, in which Joop gets lost in time. Texts from the past appear, forgotten characters start the chase and images from performances force themselves upon you. Just as in your head memories and everything you experience can also run through each other. Twa minuten foar oanfang is a surprising experience trip through 60 years of Tryater and 60 years of playing.

In the anniversary year, we tell the story of 60 years of Tryater with as many people from different generations as possible. In addition to the familiar sound of Joop Wittermans, you will also hear and see actors from Jong Tryater and amateur players of all ages! Tryater has asked Sjoeke-Marije Wallendal – specialized in experiential theater, such as Marijke Muoi – to set out a surprising route in our own Tryater building and in the five theaters of Fryslân, together with designer Geartsje van der Zee. Written by Wessel de Vries with music by Peter Sijbenga.

Please note! The route goes along (narrow) corridors, stairs and normally inaccessible areas in the theatre and requires a good basic condition. If you have difficulty walking and/or use a walker or wheelchair, you can experience the route on a Sunday afternoon in Theater Sneek, Schouwburg De Harmonie in Leeuwarden or Schouwburg De Lawei in Drachten. There is then a time slot in which a lift is used and there is more time to complete the route. For more information, see the website of the relevant theatre.

To be experienced at Tryater in Leeuwarden, Theater Sneek, Posthuis Theater Heerenveen, De Lawei Drachten, De Harmonie Leeuwarden and De Koornbeurs Franeker. From September 12 to October 19 on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Ticket sales start via the brochure and website of the respective theaters from mid-June 2025.

Good to know

• Language: Twa minuten foar oanfang is predominantly Frisian
• Duration: The route takes approximately 75 minutes. You reserve a time slot to start. Please be present 10 minutes before the start of your time slot. You can only start in the time slot you reserved, not earlier and not later.
• Sound: You walk the route with the sound on headphones that you will receive at the start.
• Audio description: Audio description is available for blind and partially sighted people
• Accessibility: Please note! The route goes along (narrow) corridors, stairs and normally inaccessible areas in the theatre and requires a good basic condition. If you have difficulty walking and/or use a walker or wheelchair, you can experience the route on a Sunday afternoon in Theater Sneek, Schouwburg De Harmonie in Leeuwarden or Schouwburg De Lawei in Drachten. There is then a time slot in which a lift is used and there is more time to complete the route. For more information, see the website of the relevant theatre.
• Entrance fees (incl. drinks): €25 (regular), €22 (Friends of Tryater), €19 (Young up to 25 years)