I.D.E.A. was formed in 1992 as a means of allowing English-speaking expats in the area of Dordrecht to participate in the production and performance of amateur dramatics.
Over the years people from all over the world (including the Netherlands) have joined our group.
We have evolved into a diverse group where everyone is welcome.
The major form of production was and still is the annual pantomime – a form which was unknown outside of the UK but is gradually growing in popularity around the globe.
Since 1992 we have produced original pantos written by our own members almost every year, much to the enjoyment of the English-speaking resident population and to the delight of many Dutch people, who join in wholeheartedly. There are even bilingual schools that come every year to watch our show!
Is panto all that we do, you ask? Of course not! In recent years we have also been performing our annual summer show which includes mini-musicals and lots of songs. We also host a variety of events throughout the year such as short plays and open mic nights. This way members have the opportunity to be a part of a variety of shows and roles they might wish to participate in, whether it’s a comedic pantomime, a serious play or a spectacular song and dance.
With IDEA you can do it all!
Feb 1993 – Valentines Revue
Jan 1994 – Robinson Crusoe
Jun 1994 – And Now For Something Completely Different, Revue
Jan 1995 – Aladdin
Jan 1996 – Cinderella
Jan 1997 – Sleeping Beauty
Feb 1998 – Santa in Space
Mar 1999 – Potty Panto Kids
Jan 2000 – Jack and the Beanstalk
Jul 2000 – Oliver!
Sep 2000 – Shirley Valentine
Jan 2001 – Sinbad
May 2001 – A Devilish Good IDEA
Feb 2002 – Dick Whittington
Jun 2002 – An Evening with Janet & John
Feb 2003 – Beauty and the Beast
May 2003 – English Shorts
Feb 2004 – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
May 2004 – Young IDEA production: The Spider and the Bird
Jun 2004 – English Shorts 2004
Jan 2005 – Babes in the Wood
Jun 2005 – Wizard of Oz
Feb 2006 – Little Red Riding Hood
May 2006 – Reflections
Jan 2007 – Cinderella
May 2007 – FEATS Festival (Fringe entry): Emporium 2
Jun 2007 – Drechtsteden Festival; The Train
Jul 2007 – Mini Showstoppers
Feb 2008 – Chaos in Pantoland
Jun 2008 – That’s Entertainment!
Jun 2008 – Drechtsteden Festival: The 15 Minute Hamlet
Jan 2009 – Treasure Island
Jun 2009 – Drechtsteden Festival; Watch this Space (Award winning!)
Jul 2009 – Spoonful of Music
Jan 2010 – Sleeping Beauty
Jun 2010 – The Show Must Go On
Feb 2011 – Aladdin
May 2011 – Drechtsteden Festival: Bumble’s Women
Jun 2011 – An Evening with Dickens
Feb 2012 – Jack and the Beanstalk
May 2012 – FEATS Festival; Airfield
Jun 2012 – 20 Years of Good IDEAs
Feb 2013 – Robinson Crusoe
Jun 2013 – Bright IDEAs
Feb 2014 – King Arthur of Camelot
Apr 2014 – April Follies
Jun 2014 – Musical Madness
Feb 2015 – Puss in Boots
Apr 2015 – IDEAs April Plays 2015
Jun 2015 – Summer Show 2015
Feb 2016 – Santa in Space
Feb 2017 – Beauty and the Beast
Jan 2018 – The Snow Queen
Jun 2018 – The Jubilee Show 25th Anniversary IDEA
Jan 2019 – Sinbad the Sailor
Jun 2019 – SummerSpectecular
Jan 2020 – Sleeping Beauty
Oct 2020 – Online Video Events: The Halloween Special
Dec 2020 – Online Video Events: The Christmas Special
Jan 2021 – Online Video Events: The IDEA Special
May 2021 – Online Panto: Chaos in Zoomland
Jul 2021 – Online Summershow: Just Be
2022 – NO SHOWS DUE TO COVID-19
Jan 2023 – Trouble in Pantoland! What’s in the Box?
Jun 2023 – IDEA’s 30th Anniversary Summershow
Jan 2024 – Peter Pan – the Panto
Jun 2024 – Shrektacular Razzle Dazzle
Jan 2025 – Alice in Wonderland – the Panto
Jun 2025 – Love & Vengeance Summer Show
Feb 2026 – UPCOMING: King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundish Table
A British pantomime (or “panto”) is a traditional form of theatrical entertainment that combines slapstick comedy, music, and a bit of magic.
Our panto performances is staged during in january-february,. They are fun, lively, and often involve audience participation, with a lot of exaggerated acting, humorous jokes, and songs.
In June we traditionally have our second show of the season.This is a variety of mini-musicals, songs, plays and other theatractical acts
Watch our socials or show announcement to see what our next line-up will be.
Through out the year we host a variety of social events, these are open for members and non members.
If you want to try some of your own songs, join the open mic night or show your skills in a pub-quiz.
