From left to right: dancers Kevin Thompson, Ciara Hiwat and Angelika Naingie, kabiteni from Suriname Georgetina, dancers Uhr’lice Rosaria and Djinti Sullivan, choreographer Lloyd Marengo, director Marjorie Boston.

The premiere of our latest dance and music performance KABITENI on Friday 7 November at Theater Zuidplein was a great success. The theatre was completely sold out and filled with friends, strangers and the Surinamese kabiteni (Surinamese for captain, meaning leader of the people) Georgetina. Before the premiere, we offered a free workshop on Surinamese dance by the well-known Nyanga Weder. Nearly fifteen people attended and learned the finer points of awasa, the traditional Surinamese dance.

The performers danced their hearts out on stage. With their bodies and voices, they transported the audience to the interior of Suriname. ‘Wow! Everyone should see this! I had goosebumps, tears in my eyes and a smile on my face,’ said singer Shirma Rouse, who also attended the performance. ‘They are amazing dancers; what they do is incredible!’ Other audience members were also impressed. ‘I was so moved that I was close to tears. Amazing!’ says Jane Muriel. ‘I really enjoyed it. I am now more aware of the power of our ancestors. Thank you a million times!’ writes Esther Nijlhove.

After the performance, moderator Eloah spoke with choreographer Lloyd Marengo, director Marjorie Boston, Surinamese kabiteni Georgetina, and the dancer who portrays her in the performance: Angelika Naingie. ‘The trip to Suriname we took as preliminary research, creating the performance... it grounded me,’ said choreographer Lloyd Marengo. ‘I grew up aware of my Surinamese roots and the culture that goes with them, but this performance has brought me even closer to them,’ said Angelika Naingie.

Captain

HIP HOP MEETS SURINAMESE DANCE (14+)

Let yourself be transported to Bendekonde, a Surinamese village, where Georgetina, the “kabiteni” (captain), is at the helm. Her singing and storytelling, combined with the energetic hip-hop and Surinamese Awasa dance of the four other distinctive performers, form the heartbeat of KABITENI. They take you on a journey through the story of the village in a backdrop of visuals, recorded in the interior of Suriname. The performance is accompanied by eclectic, warm and rousing compositions, inspired by hip hop, Awasa rhythms and life on the river.

You imagine yourself as a real “Kabiteni” and feel the challenges faced by the tough Georgetina. She has to balance tradition and innovation, between how it always was and how it is now. In doing so, she safeguards the future of her community, which once rose up against slavery. The performance translates this resistance and strength into today's vibrant hip-hop culture.

KABITENI energetically brings together a unique history, culture and innovation in a rich mix of music, spoken word, dance and visuals.

Performance period: November 2025 to February 2026

ABOUT THE CREATORS

KABITENI was created by hip-hop theatre pioneers Lloyd Marengo (choreography) and Marjorie Boston (direction) with assistance from B-Boy Dietrich Pott. In 2022, Marengo won the Golden Swan and Pott won the Young Swan. Boston is the artistic director of Right About Now.

The charismatic “kabiteni” is portrayed by Angelika Naingie, known from the theatre production “Sporen van Haar” (Traces of Her). The performers have also earned their spurs. Kevin Thompson previously danced for the Dutch National Ballet and ISH, Djinti Sullivan played the lead role in “Giselle” by Toneelmakerij & Dox, Ciara Hiwat starred in POWER, which won the BNG Bank Prize, and Uhr'lice Rosaria received a grant from the Vanden Ende Foundation.

CREDITS

Choreography: Lloyd Marengo together with the performers

Direction: Marjorie Boston

Assistant choreography: Dietrich Pott

Dancers: Angelika Naingie, Kevin Thompson, Djinti Sullivan, Ciara Hiwat and Uhr’lice Rosaria

Spoken word text: Angelika Naingie

Music production: HAYP Music (Alvin Lewis and Patrick Mijnals)

Lighting design: Jasper Nijholt

Scenography: Marjorie Boston & Lloyd Marengo

Photography: Kevin Thompson

Video: Jasper Spobeck

Costumes: Meredith Joeroeja

Bookings: info@frontaal.com