06 Jun

20:30

Theater Bellevue

Leidsekade 90, Amsterdam

A musical narrative by REINDIER about obsession, recovery, and the power of creativity, told through accessible, layered pop songs about his personal story of illness and resilience.

MONOMAAN

More info & tickets

MONOMAAN is more than a pop concert. It is a musical narrative about obsession, recovery, and the power of creativity. In accessible, layered Dutch pop songs, REINDIER shares his personal story about illness, resilience, and letting go of who you thought you were.

The title refers to the monomaniac: someone who completely obsesses over one thought or goal to keep emotions at a distance. When Reinier became seriously ill after the discovery of a brain tumor, he obsessively threw himself into making music. Night after night, he composed new songs, as if creating could temporarily quell his fear. The title also has a literal meaning: the tumor left Reinier deaf in one ear. He no longer hears in stereo, but in mono, and this limited hearing became the starting point for a new musical world.

In MONOMAAN, these layers merge into a performance that shifts between raw honesty and vibrant pop. From sleepless nights due to medication and hallucinations to danceable, energetic songs and intimate lullabies that offer comfort and recolor the silence.

Content note: a stroboscope is used in this performance.

About the Makers

The multidisciplinary pop artist and theater maker Reinier van Harten, under the name REINDIER, creates work at the intersection of music and theater. His performances are characterized by melancholic vocals, experimental instruments, enchanting visuals, and confrontational lyrics that feel both timeless and modern.

In early 2025, he gained national attention with the successful theater tour Metgezwel, which he created with his partner Sander Plukaard. In this performance, they spoke with humor and vulnerability about their relationship during Reinier’s illness. Metgezwel touched audiences and critics, toured the country, and was selected for Lowlands.

After this success, Reinier shifted his focus to music. The result is the album MONOMAAN: personal, layered, and hopeful. The theatrical concert MONOMAAN builds on the content of Metgezwel, but prominently showcases Reinier as a singer, performer, and storyteller. With imagination and openness, he shows how art can heal.

The contrasts in his work are also reflected in his name: REIN stands for purity and vulnerability, DIER for emotion, intuition, and instinct. With MONOMAAN, REINDIER establishes himself as a creator who transcends genres and brings a new wind to the Dutch stage landscape. The layered nature of his work and his fairytale-like appearance draw comparisons to Kate Bush, Björk, and David Bowie. REINDIER is a talent to watch.

Credits

musician and performer REINDIER (Reinier van Harten)
musicians Sergio Escoda, Jelle Huiberts
composition REINDIER, Sergio Escoda
final direction Ilke Paddenburg
dramaturgy Sander Plukaard
script Reinier van Harten
scenography Marjolijn Brouwer, Lieve van Engelenburg
light design Wout Panis