The group consists mainly of hunters. Old money, chic, but down on their luck. The only thing they still have is the hunt. The last tradition not yet destroyed by yuppies. With their dogs in the woods, they feel at one with nature and like a landowner of former times. But society portrays their traditions as inhumane and elitist, so they will have to let them go.

An extensive group therapy session follows. All the necessary breathing exercises, all the stages of grief — the therapist pulls out all the stops to prepare the hunters for the new world. Meanwhile, the traumatised stag is rehabilitated and Diana, the goddess of the hunt, makes one final desperate attempt to defend her right to exist.

Director Jasper van Hofwegen: ‘The Vegetarian Hunting Cantata seeks to pose major questions in a light and accessible way. The style of performance will be grotesque and comic. In this way, we aim to poke fun at both the audience and ourselves and to hold up a mirror. After all, do we not all struggle to say farewell to the parts of ourselves that may be in need of renewal?’

• text Bart Sietsema direction Jasper van Hofwegen soprano Klaartje van Veldhoven baritone Mattijs van de Woerd tenor Roman Brasser accordion & arrangements Renée Bekkers cello Charles Watt