09 Sep

20:00

DeLaMar Theater

Marnixstraat 402, Amsterdam

Heartwarming music theater based on the novel by Arthur Japin, about the deaf boy Kolja who is taken in by the composer Tchaikovsky.

Wed, 9 Sep 2026 20:00

DeLaMar Theater, Amsterdam

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:00

DeLaMar Theater, Amsterdam

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 20:00

DeLaMar Theater, Amsterdam

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 14:00

DeLaMar Theater, Amsterdam

Kolja

More info & tickets

A True Story of Friendship and Resilience

What if you are deaf in a world where everything revolves around music? Arthur Japin's novel about the deaf boy Kolja now comes to life in a moving music theater performance, with a key role for soprano Francis van Broekhuizen and music by composer Bob Zimmerman!

The neglected Kolja cannot hear or speak. But when the composer Tchaikovsky and his brother Modest take him under their wing, Kolja discovers that there is an inner richness in his 'being different'. In turn, the musical brothers struggle to be themselves in a world that does not accept their homosexuality. Through dramatic arias and festive choral scenes, everyone's inner struggle and resilience is made palpable. Enjoy this true story about life and death, love and betrayal, loneliness and friendship!

This performance is in Dutch with Dutch surtitles. SDH surtitles are available for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Cast & Creatives

Cast

Olivier Kemler (Kolja), Hubert Claessens (Modest Tchaikovsky), Peter Bording (Pyotr Tchaikovsky), Francis van Broekhuizen (Sofja, Miss Jershova, Kolja’s governess), Aylin Sezer (Alina Ivanovna, Kolja’s mother), Gulian van Nierop (Nicolai Jakobi), Luka den Boer (Prince Saltikov).
Live music by Club Classique conducted by Roel Vogel.