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

Actor Joop Wittermans, who first performed at Tryater sixty years ago and is now about to perform for the umpteenth time, takes you into his head via an audio route. As Joop walks to the stage, he decides: tonight will be the last time. It’s enough. The decision is immediately followed by doubts. What will be left of me if I stop doing what I’ve always done? Did I do it right?

Joop is thrown back to the early days of Tryater with artistic director Pyt van der Zee. Chased by characters he has played over the years, he encounters scenes from iconic Tryater performances that are etched in his memory and that of the Frisian audience.

Twa minuten foar oanfang (Two minutes before commencement) is an adventurous route through the theatre that you take actively and experientially, with the voice of Joop Wittermans as a guide. About an actor who has been performing for sixty years and a company that has existed for sixty years.

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: The route goes along (narrow) corridors, stairs and normally inaccessible areas in the theatre. If you have difficulty walking and/or use a walker or wheelchair, choose the accessible time slots (with elevator) in Theater Sneek, Schouwburg De Harmonie or Schouwburg De Lawei.
• Entrance fees (incl. drinks): €25 (regular), €22 (Friends of Tryater), €19 (Young up to 25 years)