14-18

It began with a simple idea. Three young guys came up with the idea to make a tv-program for children with a talking dog, which they called Samson. 'Gert & Samson' became very popular (still are) and made the guys millionaires. They formed a company, Studio 100. After some time the guy whose voice was Samson's sold his shares and only two of the original owners stayed on, Gert Verhulst and Hans Bourlon.

Studio 100 began to do very well. They began to make other TV-programs and also became producers of musical shows etc.

Right now, Studio 100 is taking on its biggest project ever. They have created the musical 14-18 which brings spectacle of the utmost quality. The scene they use is as big as two soccer fields put together and the public sits on a tribune which can be moved forward or backward, to allos the people to get a closer look on the scene or a wider one.

Of course this is a story about World War One. It tells the story of Flemish soldiers who are fighting in this war. I haven't been to see it yet (will do shortly) but the critics agree it's magnificent. This creation is really very impressive and I doubt anything else can be seen in other places around the world.

Monday morning:

Just wanted to say I've been to see the show yesterday and it really impressed me. We sat on a tribune which moved back and forth over 150 meter, making the scene smaller and intimate or very wide.

14-18 is the story of four friends who go to fight in the Great War. One leaves behind his pregnant wife. His brother is shy, another friend likes to read and the other one is the one who always makes jokes. Each of the friends was played by a well-known actor in Belgium: Jelle Cleymans, Bert Verbeeck, Jonas Van Geel and Lander Depoortere.

It really was a spectacle. During the show, bombs exploded, rifles were fired, horses charged over the scene (yes, real horses!), cars and trucks drove by. What was also quite remarkable was that all the costumes and props were quite authentic.

We also dined at the place. We had received an offer by email to have dinner in the restaurant on site and the food was delicious. A buffet-style happening, where you had your pick from cold meats for starters, five different main courses (and you could eat them all  if you wanted) and various (delicious) desserts.