Seth Gaaikema

Seth Gaaikema (11 July 1939 – 21 October 2014) was a Dutch cabaret artist, writer, and lyricist.

After studying Dutch and founding the student cabaret at the University of Groningen,[2] he became a lyricist writing for established artists such as Wim Kan.

[1] Gaaikema found it more and more difficult to maintain the audience's interest, especially when the new generation of cabaret artists introduced a harder-edged, more direct type of humor.

[2] He did, however, receive praise for his translations of musicals, including My Fair Lady (his first, 1959), Kiss Me, Kate, Oliver!, Les Misérables, and The Phantom of The Opera.

[1] He was praised as, "above all, a playful master of language"; his reputation as lyricist and translator was celebrated more than his showmanship.