What a wonderful experience it has been, photographing four talented actors performing ‘De eenzaamheid van de priemgetallen’. It is the Dutch adaptation of Paolo Giordano’s best-selling ‘Solitude of Prime Numbers’ by director Madeleine Matzer.
Why y’all should go and see the play? After all, there are the book and the film. I read the book a few days before shooting the play, the film I will see as well. The issues outlined in the story are of all times and touch everybody. People are so close to each other, physically and seemingly emotionally, and yet incredibly separated.
Laurence Roothooft really shines in her debut performance as Lottie Hellingman switches character in the blink of an eye. From worried mother to bitchy classmate. Marijn Klaver is very credible and convincing as Matteo and Wolter Muller completes the quartet as among others Matteo’s father.
Even though I was concentrating on getting the best shots, it has been the first time that I was completely drawn into the play while working. I usually keep some distance in the sense that I don’t follow all the things being said and the action taking place. I normally loose track of what’s really going on because I am doing my job: taking pictures. This time I was really connected and I enjoyed every minute of the performance. That is as a spectator (while at work). I was a pity it was over…
So why see the play, regardless if you have or have not seen the film or read the book? It is a wonderful, intimate and invariably gifted performance that make you smile and cry at the same time. I think, if you have seen the film or read the book, the play completes the trilogy and adds to the story that Paolo Giordano has given to us.
The play premiers April 7, 2011 in De Verkadefabriek in Den Bosch.
Laurence Roothooft and Lottie Hellingman