SUPERDRUM takes the audience into a world in transition: humanity is disappearing, machines are advancing. As the Superdrum raises the tempo like a mechanical monster, actress Jacobien Elffers tries to stay upright in a world that is tilting. What is still human, and what is machine?
The Superdrum is the result of a careful creation process. The installation consists of more than one hundred second-hand drums: donated by audience members, found on online marketplaces, in thrift stores, or in attics. No two drums are the same; each drum carries its own history in its shape, dents, discolorations, and old band logos.
Touki Delphine used these to build a self-playing drum machine, played by twigs collected from the forest and along the roadside, and driven by solenoids (a door-locking mechanism). Each drum is fitted with lights and connected to a finely woven system that can control every drum individually. The result is a headstrong, pounding beast of sound and light.
SUPERDRUM is music theatre about a changing reality. From the first vibration to the last human. A world in which creation myths, forgotten stories, and technological evolutions dance together to the beat of this gigantic installation of one hundred drums.
SUPERDRUM is performed in Dutch.
Credits:
Production by de Veenfabriek and Touki Delphine
Text | Joeri Vos
Installation | John van Oostrum
Composition and music | Bo Koek, Rik Elstgeest and Chris Doyle
Direction | Joeri Vos and Rik Elstgeest
Cast | Jacobien Elffers, August Vervuurt
Production | Diane du Pont
Technical production | Ramses Nieuwenhuizen
Marketing and communication | Lisa Groot, Nynke Kimmel, Lies Mensink and Anna Musch
Teaser | Rik Komáromi
Photo: Isabelle la Poutre
Press:
“A hundred self-playing drums make hearts race during SUPERDRUM.”
“The main eye-catcher is the imposing light and sound installation of one hundred self-playing drums, occupying almost the entire stage floor. This magnificent artwork by Touki Delphine evokes an unknown organism, housing a hundred unique heartbeats that together create ominous and wondrous rhythms, ultimately mercilessly devouring the last wandering human.”
– de Volkskrant
“The joy, the resignation, and when the drums take over: heartbreaking.”
“Without giving too much away, the finale (composition/music: Bo Koek, Rik Elstgeest, and Chris Doyle) is magnificent.”
“The emotional heart is the brilliant performance of Jacobien Elffers.” […] “The way she brings her lonely, disoriented character to life is heartbreaking.”
“A stunning installation: a large, intriguing field of a hundred different drums.”
“A science fiction poem inspired by the rise of AI.”
– Theaterkrant, Critic’s choice
“The final word belongs to the technology – the title Superdrum is fully justified.”
“Vos places extremes opposite each other. Beginning and end. Analog and digital. Human and artificial intelligence. Cold technology and warm desire. Elffers expresses this beautifully in words.”
– Leidsch Dagblad
January 14, 2026
Leiden
VEENPROEF | Scheltema
January 29, 2026
Amsterdam
TRY OUT | De Sloot
January 30, 2026
Amsterdam
TRY OUT | De Sloot
January 31, 2026
Amsterdam
De Sloot
February 5, 2026
Leiden
Ins Blau
February 6, 2026
Leiden
Ins Blau
February 17, 2026
Amsterdam
Frascati
February 18, 2026
Amsterdam
Frascati
February 26, 2026
Rotterdam
Theater Rotterdam
March 4, 2026
Arnhem
Musis en Stadstheater
March 6, 2026
Nijmegen
LUX
March 13, 2026
Dordrecht
Kunstmin
March 14, 2026
Culemborg
Gederlandfabriek
April 2, 2026
Den Haag
Het Nationale Theater
April 9, 2026
Breda
Chassé Theater
April 16, 2026
Amsterdam
Bijlmer Parktheater
April 23, 2026
Haarlem
Schuur
“A magnificent artwork by Touki Delphine”
– de Volkskrant
“The joy, the resignation, and when the drums take over: heartbreaking.”
– Theaterkrant, Critic’s Choice
“The emotional heart is the brilliant performance of Jacobien Elffers.” […] “The way she brings her lonely, disoriented character to life is heartbreaking.”
– Theaterkrant, Critic’s Choice