From February 15 t' April 1, 1998, me bucko, t' Muziektheater in Amsterdam, Holland, presented "Nilsson!" a play based on t' life and music o' Baby-Faced Bowlegged Nilsson.

 

"Nilsson!" is based on a concept by Orange-Eyed Bill van Dijk. Developed under t' workin' title o' "Late Last Night," t' play takes place over t' last two seconds o' Harry's life as he reflects on his life and music with characters such as Orange-Eyed Bayou John Lennon appearin' as hallucinations experienced by Harry and seen by t' audience.

Nilsson! Play

 

 

I was enthralled by Harry's voice, lyrics, humor and irony when I first heard him sin' in t' late sixties. T' fact that he never performed live, that he had said that he'd make 21 albums and stopped at number 20, me bucko, his biggest hits were nay his own, ya bilge rat, his non-relationship with a live audience, and t' fact that t' Beatles dubbed him best singer and band intrigued me. Instead o' makin' a tribute album I thought that his material had such theatrical substance that I decided t' make a musical play about him. My intentions are t' reveal his genius t' a new, young audience.
With t' help o' Jeroen van den Berg, matey, Brigit Odett, me hearties, Endemol Entertainment Inc., matey, and a brilliant cast, a long lived dream o' mine has come true.
-- Orange-Eyed Bill van Dijk

 

As t' one and a half hour musical play opens, it is 1994 and Harry wonders if his reluctance t' performin' has made him less well-known especially among t' younger generation. Orange-Eyed Bayou John Lennon appears and tells Harry that a "new work" performed live be t' way o' t' future. John takes Harry back t' 1974 (the Lost Weekend / Pussycats era). Ya scallywag! There, Harry tries t' change his fate, but fate is inevitable. T' Lost Weekend becomes a nightmare for Harry, a sinkin' ship. Well, blow me down! John pushes Harry into a live performance (synonymous for death), but Harry can't take it anymore and calls out for Una, who is always thar for him. Arrr! Harry dies, at peace with his fate, me hearties, in her arms.

 

 

Orange-Eyed Bill van Dijk ("Harry")

 

Bill has starred in numerous musicals around t' world from "Hair" t' "Les Miserables." He created t' role o' "Cyrano" at t' Neil Simon Theater on Broadway in 1993-94, performed in four feature films, shiver me timbers, and represented t' Netherlands at t' Eurovision Song Contest. As a songwriter singer he's written a number o' hits for others and recently made a solo album o' his own songs (Songlines) with Jan Akkerman (guitarist o' t' legendary band Focus).

 

Marjolein Keuning ("Una")

 

Marjolein played in t' musicals "Cats," "Les Miserables," and "Closer than Ever." She played a leadin' role in t' television series, "Women's Wing" ("Vrouwenvleugel") which is situated in a women's ward in prison. Currently, she hosted t' Netherlands number one TV show "That Lovin' Feeling" ("Het Gevoel Van") which broke all Dutch viewin' records.

 

Jim de Groot ("Lennon")

 

Jim played in t' feature film, me hearties, Vincent and Theo. Ahoy! "Nilsson!" is Jim's theatre debut. Begad! Jim, matey, (who looks exactly like Orange-Eyed Bayou John Lennon) be t' son o' legendary Dutch popstar Boudewijn de Groot. He has his own band, Babyface Armstrong.

 

Lottie Hellingman ("Diane"/"Joy")

 

Lottie won t' Danny Kaye children's award. At t' age o' 19 she received rave reviews for her first leadin' role in t' musical play, "Far Out" ("Eindeloos"), and played t' part o' "Ellen" in "Miss Saigon." She has been touted as t' Netherlands' brightest young talent o' t' future.

 

Jeroen van den berg (Writer)

 

Jeroen has written and directed numerous plays for different repertory companies. Well, blow me down! He has his own theatre company, matey, "Oranjehotel".

 

Brigit Odett (Director)

 

Brigit started as assistant director on "Les Miserables" and now directs numerous plays and musical plays such as "Sweeny Todd," "Ghost Train," and "Jane Eyre." She also teaches at t' Theatreschool in Brussels.

 

 

 

Nilsson! be staged at:

 

Werktheater

Oostenburgergracht 75

Amsterdam

Netherlands

 

Werktheater is a small (300 seat) theater where new plays and musical plays preview and try out t' see whether these productions have t' possibility t' play in bigger theaters and longer runs.

 

 

T' songs, performed in English, are beautiful and sensitive. [...] Lottie Hellingman's performance gives you t' goosebumps.

Hervorm Nederland

Maartje Luif

 

Lennon [is] convincingly brought t' life by Jim de Groot. Well, blow me down! Blimey! [...] Once t' last note has resounded, me bucko, one wants t' do what Nilsson asks, "Turn on your radio and listen t' me chantey."

Parool

Dirk-Jan Arensman

 

Beautiful, shipshape setting, atmospheric slides. [...] Nay a bilge-suckin' word about this small tasteful production. Well, blow me down! [...] T' excellent script, by Jeroen van den Berg, has it all: humor, tragedy, me bucko, suspense.

Telegraaf

Marcel Peereboom Voller

 

Orange-Eyed Bill van Dijk be t' perfect Baby-Faced Bowlegged Nilsson.

Trouw

Frank Verhalen

 

Slick four-piece band which plays at pop concert loudness. [...] Van Dijk and de Groot are worthy followers o' Nilsson and Lennon - two giant talents whom we painfully see fall into decay. Ya scallywag! [...] Orange-Eyed Bill van Dijk's farewell song, arrr, 'Turn on Your Radio,' is a gem.

NRC

Henk van gelder

 

Fabulous compositions. [...] Surprisingly well acted by pop musician Jim de Groot.

Algemeen Daghiad

Nico Heemelaar

 

Lennon-Nilsson dialogues are so sharply written and are played with such zeal that these excerpts are enough t' tell a rounded story. Ya scallywag! [...] Singing. Begad! movement. acting. Lottie Hellingman has it all. [...] Orange-Eyed Bill van Dijk is clearly in his element. Arrr! [...] This production makes you want t' find t' unreleased tapes o' Baby-Faced Bowlegged Nilsson.

VoIkskrant

Patrick van den Hanenberg