Tonight, 2 July, the South Park Theatre reopened its gates for the first time. At the end of September 2020, the open-air theatre in the park closed its doors earlier than planned due to corona measures. This was followed by nerve-wracking months to get a final decision on the cultural subsidy and major maintenance from The Hague City Council. Now, after months of renovation, the 80-plus volunteers had the first taste of a trial event on the renovated grounds. Their reaction: not only the only open-air theatre, but also the most beautiful! Next Friday, 9 July, Douwe Bob kicks off the summer season.
Renovation
Those who enter the grounds as loyal visitors will immediately witness the innovations. A new box office unit has been built at the entrance and a lot of pruning has created an intimate woodland terrace. The enlarged terrace features new picnic benches and new bar containers on either side of the stage. The kilometres of grandstand benches have all been unscrewed, re-sanded to the wood grain, stained and replaced. The stage deck was levelled and repainted. Finally, the performers' area has also been taken in hand. Volunteers and crew were dressed in new T-shirts for which a new washing machine was also provided. All these renovations were realised with support from The Hague City Council, Rabobank, Crodino and Ruhrgold. Volunteers have also frequently assisted with maintenance.
Summer programme
This year, Zuiderpark Live, The Hague Inside Out and Zuiderpark Holiday Park are the highlights of the calendar. Renowned concert organiser Greenhouse Talent will present a series of well-known Dutch artists and comedians this summer. On the agenda are songwriter Douwe Bob, tribute band Pink Project (sold out), child star Juf Roos (sold out), songwriter Milow, pop artist Rolf Sanchez, bands DeWolff and Son Mieux and comedians Guido Weijers and Sjaak Bral. In addition to an ecstatic Stadskampement and the Binck Urban Playground, the Zuiderparktheater also has three different free youth events with The Hague Inside Out. Including a super-chill outdoor festival, three-day workshop programme and grande finale. For the ultimate holiday feeling, there will be an ever-changing free* Holiday Park programme on Tuesdays, Wednesdays* and Thursdays for six weeks. Playing together, playing sports, performing, lazing around, crafts, dancing and much more. The 'you-see-where-what-is-there-to-do' daily schedule is approachable, relaxed and inviting for all ages. With hands-on workshops, absurdly fun installations like the Relaxarette and a hamster wheel. On the *Wednesday afternoon, the programme is different and features a cool performance on the big stage. Finally, there are two free open-air concerts by Holiday Orchestra Ad Hoc and Round Midnight Orchestra. Also on the agenda are the popular bike rides with Piet Vernimmen, the Hague Beat Festival (now sold out), Musical Summer Concert and the Residentie Orkest.