The Surprise Show - Nazanin Taheri, Via Rudolphi Producties & TOBAL

At seven years old, Nazanin Taheri fled Iran in 1994 and arrived at the AZC Kollum refugee centre. While waiting for papers, security, and a future, she practised daily in front of the mirror - convinced that Henny Huisman would call her for The Surprise Show. During that same period, she befriended Maya Bradarić and was spat upon after the murder of Marianne Vaatstra.

Now she takes the stage herself. With a degree in acting, roles at Het Nationale Theater, De Toneelmakerij and Theatergroep Suburbia, and TV appearances in Bennie (Videoland) and De Ballonvaarder (Disney+) to her name, Taheri brings her first solo performance. In it, she poses the question that lingered all those years: what becomes of the dreams of a child who experienced everything, yet was never noticed?

The Surprise Show is a solo performance - raw, funny and moving all at once. Text, concept and performance are by Nazanin Taheri herself; direction by Esther Scheldwacht. Julian Maiwald (lighting design) and Maze de Boer (set design) also contributed. The production is a co-production of Via Rudolphi Producties and TOBAL.