In the fourteenth edition of KRO-NCRV’s musical Easter event The Passion Angela Schijf plays the role of Maria. This year’s theme, ‘I believe in you’, particularly appeals to her.
Have you been asked for a role in The Passion before?
“Yes, but I never responded to that. It was so out of my comfort zone. I’m an actress first and foremost. I have played in performances before where I also had to sing, but acting was always the main part. That’s it The Passion not so.”
Why did you say yes now?
“I played in the theater musical in Maastricht last year Diary of a Sheepdog. We brought this to television with a major live event in September. I loved that. The regular team was also at that event The Passion involved, which I immediately loved. Then they asked: ‘Shouldn’t you even think about Mary’s role in this? The Passion?’”
Also read: Who’s who in The Passion 2024?
What finally won you over?
“Especially that this year’s theme appeals to me so much: ‘I believe in you’. I have three growing girls of my own. In addition, I am very committed to our youth, also from the Het Vergeten Kind Foundation, of which I am an ambassador. It is often not easy for young people and I think it is very important that they, in particular, hear that people believe in them.”
What does ‘I believe in you’ mean to you?
“Empowering each other and pulling together. I think the world needs that. It is essential that we can let go of the individualism that is so prevalent now. We have to believe in each other. I think it is important that we give each other more trust. Everyone has a phase in which you can put that to good use.”
In a TV interview you recently talked about the eating disorder you had as a teenager. Was that a phase where that applied to you?
“That was certainly a period in which others expressed that they trusted that I would be okay. That has strengthened me. I have struggled with bulimia nervosa for over ten years. Being very controlled with my food was a kind of support for me to deal with my emotions. I desperately needed the faith of others then. I know that there are countless young people who could use that support right now for various reasons.”
What other important message do you get from the Easter story?
“Certainly because I play Maria, for me it’s all about the importance of being able to let go of someone. For Maria, letting go is very concrete because her son dies. Terrible. Every parent must also let go of his or her child when he or she becomes an adult. I already notice it with my teenage daughters. As a mother, you are used to paving their way from childhood, but adolescents also have to learn from their own mistakes and difficult periods. Letting go is difficult, but if you succeed it is a great act of love.”
The Passion can be seen on Thursday, March 28 from 8:35 PM on KRO-NCRV on NPO1.
Tags: Angela Schijf finally participates Passion comfort zone
