MANU 'De Herontdekking van de Hemel'

A performance that won't let you sit back and relax.

Manu's live show where spoken word, theater, jazz, hip-hop, and heavy bass lines intertwine. Personal, sharp, and poignant. From the perspective of a father trying to explain to his children what is happening in the world, he explores themes such as identity, racism, conflict, and connection. Not a preachy evening of theater, but words that hit home because they feel real.

Live, layers of beats, poetry, and improvisation emerge that lift one another and sometimes clash. That is precisely why this piece works so well at BIRD. Because it is just as musical as it is substantive. Because it moves somewhere between concert, spoken word, and theater. And because Manu silences the room without ever raising his voice.

De Herontdekking van de Hemel was nominated for the Theo d'Or 2025 and the Annie MG Schmidt Prize 2025. The production has previously been performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Nederlands Theater Festival, and Theaterfestival België, among others.

“Like a beacon of light, Van Kersbergen manages to comfort you time and again with his emotional lyrics, self-reflection, and deep voice.” de Volkskrant

For everyone who loves language with weight, music with soul, and stories that linger for days.