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Annemieke van der Togt

Interview

‘Dit is een kroon op mijn dertigjarige jubileum’

HAIRSPRAY starring Richard Groenendijk

Voor Richard Groenendijk voelt zijn rol in HAIRSPRAY als een langgekoesterde wens die eindelijk uitkomt. ‘Deze musical had ik hoog op mijn lijstje staan,’ vertelt hij. Vijftien jaar geleden speelde hij Edna Turnblad al als vervanger. ‘Toen dacht ik al: als deze voorstelling ooit terugkomt, wil ik de first cast zijn.’ En dat is precies wat er nu gebeurt, zonder auditie zelfs.

Annemieke van der Togt Annemieke van der Togt

A career of trial and error

his year marks Richard’s 30th year on stage. A milestone that fills him with pride, but above all reminds him of how far he has come. ‘At the start of my career, I performed to an audience of 30 people,’ he recalls. For the first ten years, he regularly wondered whether he should carry on. At times, it was even harder than he cared to admit. ‘There was a period when I wanted to throw in the towel.’

A performance in Hardenberg is still vivid in his mind. ‘I couldn’t get the audience on board at all. Afterwards, I told Jochem Myjer that I wanted to quit. He went absolutely ballistic: he knew what I was capable of and that I had to carry on.’ That was exactly the reassurance he needed at that moment.

Annemieke van der Togt Annemieke van der Togt

Stability and enjoyment on the road

Meanwhile, Richard has learnt that success only truly has value if you can cherish the life around it. His partner Marko plays a big part in that. Calm, loving and averse to showbiz. ‘He’s proud of what I do, but doesn’t interfere in anything. When I told him I was going to play a leading role in HAIRSPRAY, he just said: “Do you enjoy that? Well, isn’t that lovely for you then?”’

His parents are also important to him. He enjoys going on bike rides with his father, and his mother provided a warm home for many years. ‘I was a real mummy’s boy.’

Annemieke van der Togt Annemieke van der Togt

A future with less stage and more life

Although Richard enjoys his work, he doesn’t see himself on stage forever. ‘I can’t imagine carrying on until I’m eighty. I hope to put on a few more great solo performances and, when I’m around sixty-five, make a bit more time for Marko and me.’ Perhaps an apartment in Portugal might be on the cards one day, but for now he’s staying close to his family.

Richard Groenendijk in roze trainingspak zit op sierlijke stoel naast brandende taart en ballonnen Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk

Richard in action