Johan Simons

Simons caused controversy by directing a play in Austria in 2015 called "Die Neger" ("The Negroes"), which used blackface, prompting protests and accusations of racism.

From the outset the group's plays have been distinguished by their ensemble dimension and by their capacity to become integrated with places outside the usual theatre circuits.

The Hollandia Theatergroep has based its exploration of language on famous texts, especially ancient and modern tragedies, but also on non-theatrical literary motifs.

In addition, the group has developed a mix of languages that permits it to perform within the sphere of the theatre, dance and the most sophisticated musical expressions.

The Hollandia Theatergroep's appeal lies in the variety of fields it explores and in the poetical power of its performances that are charged with unusual polemical force.