A performance in a student room during the 2022 Room Service Festival. Photo Guy Ackermans ‘Grab a pillow, get comfortable between the bookcase and a stranger, pour yourself a drink and get ready for a veritable festival of performances. Ears and eyes come alive through stories, the power of dance to move you unexpectedly, music to comfort you, call on you, ideas to challenge and moments of absurdity…
That is the poetic introduction in the Room Service flyer. There is no doubt that the organisers are looking forward to the event. Imme still has to ‘completely rearrange my room to accommodate this.’ She has until 2 November, which is when the student room festival Room Service is held, offering comedy, theatre, music, dance, puppet shows, stories and spoken word. The festival is to take place in ten student rooms, the BBLTHK and a church.
From comedy to frustration theatre
Student Jes Kallen organises the Room Service festival with student Saranke Visser. What performance would he recommend? ‘Every single one! Each performance is great in its own way. We selected the acts by checking out live footage of parades and festivals. Additionally, we consulted with many event organisers and rallied our network. We programmed for maximum diversity: there is comedy, (more) serious acts, but also light-hearted romance. And the styles are also varied. There is anti-establishment poetry with guitar music, drama about sexual frustration and storytellers who take you back to medieval times.’
If Kallen is forced to choose a favourite? ‘I think the Amsterdam Andalusian orchestra that is to play in the church will be really awesome.’
Rearranging rooms
Finding venues was no easy feat. Kallen: ‘We started out by reaching out to student houses that have hosted before; they have proven their hospitality. But that was not enough. We went on to investigate through friends or just went ahead and rang doorbells. That got us the houses that are now on the map.’
Imme (full name known to the editors) is one of the tenants of student house Onder de Magnolia on the Nassauweg. One of the performances will take place in her room. ‘Storyteller Dan Tuffy will come to our home’, she says. ‘We will start off with a joint dinner, after which he will tell a beautiful story in my room, which I must completely rearrange to accommodate this.’
Setting up a bar
Onder de Magnolia has been a popular Room Service venue for years. ‘We have been doing this for years in my house, last year my room was also used, which was great. I really enjoy having an event like this take place. We will set up a bar to sell drinks, and meeting a performer is always great’, says Imme enthusiastically.
Tickets are available from 26 October through info@sg.wur.nl. Tickets will also be on sale on the campus this week. Check the flyer and the map for more information on the acts.
