Kamp

A huge model of Auschwitz fills the stage. Overcrowded barracks, a railway line, the gate bearing the words ‘Arbeit macht frei’. On stage, the miniature version of the camp is brought to life: thousands of handcrafted eight-centimetre-tall figurines depict the prisoners and their tormentors. Like giant war correspondents, the actors wander through the model with mini cameras, filming the horrific events and making the audience eyewitnesses.

Why Hotel Modern Kamp was created

The grandfather of Hotel Modern creator Pauline Kalker was called Joseph Emanuel Kalker. He was a GP, much loved by his patients, and a wonderful father to his children. He was murdered in Auschwitz. Pauline has always wanted to imagine the place and the circumstances in which he met his death. *Kamp* is the result of this.

“The creators have found a way to revisit this sensitive subject: to highlight the extremes to which people are capable of going. In all sincerity.” Volkskrant

“A bold and successful portrayal of the incomprehensible.” Historisch Nieuwsblad

“The performers feel a genuine need, now that there are fewer and fewer survivors, to bear witness to Auschwitz.” Auschwitz Bulletin

“Young or old, go there if you can. You rarely see anything so beautiful, so evocative and so unique.” Hanneke Groenteman

“Kamp reminds us that the unthinkable can come to pass whenever humanity turns its back on the values upon which its own sanity and security rest.” LA Times

Creators and performers: Herman Helle, Arlène Hoornweg, Pauline Kalker; sound concept and live sound: Ruud van der Pluijm; technical support: Edwin van Steenbergen, Pablo Strörmann; with thanks to Fien Benninga-Warendorf, who was kind enough to share her camping experiences with us.

*Kamp* premiered in 2005 and was screened throughout Europe, in Australia, Japan, the United States, Russia and Canada.