Emma Lesuis / Silbersee — More than Bauxite

More than Bauxite is a significant and compelling theatre work that sheds light on untold war stories from Suriname. Emma Lesuis inherited a treasure trove of archival material from Suriname, including film footage from the 1940s and 1950s. This inspired her to start an investigation: what happened in Suriname during World War II?

It is often said that there was no war in the former colony, but what actually happened there at the time? Emma visited locations where these gripping stories came to life and spoke with people who still remembered what many considered the “good old days.” The result of her research is presented as an intimate and cinematic theatre performance at the intersection of music theatre, documentary, and storytelling.

More than Bauxite was one of the highlights of Oerol 2024. All 17 performances sold out within 24 hours and were received with great enthusiasm by audiences.

About the Creator

Emma Lesuis completed her Master’s in Word Art at the Royal Conservatory in Antwerp. In visuals, she researches, directs, films, and edits documentaries. In words, she writes, presents, and moderates. She also combines word and image in documentary performances.