King Willem-Alexander celebrates 80th anniversary of Diever's Shakespeare Theatre
King Willem-Alexander visited Diever’s iconic Shakespeare Theatre to mark its 80th anniversary, attending a special performance and engaging with actors and volunteers. The event highlights the theatre’s cultural significance in Drenthe, drawing local pride and royal recognition.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | 80th anniversary celebration |
| Location | Shakespeare Theatre, Diever |
| Date | 12 March 2026 |
| Performance | ‘De sterke wil’ (The Strong Will) |
| Attendees | King Willem-Alexander, Peter Sloot (theatre chairman), Agnes Mulder (King’s Commissioner for Drenthe), Jouke Spoelstra (mayor) |
| Theatre’s Legacy | Annual Shakespeare performances since 1946 |
The Dutch monarchy, represented by King Willem-Alexander, plays a ceremonial and unifying role in cultural and regional events, often attending anniversaries and milestones to highlight local heritage. The King’s Commissioner for Drenthe, Agnes Mulder, acts as the government’s representative in the province, bridging national and regional interests.
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Read the full translated article below
Royal visit to Diever!
On Thursday, 12 March, King Willem-Alexander paid a visit to the Shakespeare Theatre in Diever. The theatre is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year with a special performance of ‘De sterke wil’ (The Strong Will).
The king was welcomed by the theatre’s chairman, Peter Sloot. Also present at the reception were Agnes Mulder, the King’s Commissioner for Drenthe, and our mayor, Jouke Spoelstra. The king attended the performance and also engaged in conversation with the actors and those involved in the theatre.
The theatre in Diever is renowned for its annual performances of Shakespeare’s plays and has been a major cultural attraction in the region since 1946. The anniversary performance ‘De sterke wil’ tells the story of a theatre company during the time of William Shakespeare.
Mayor Jouke Spoelstra said: “Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performance. It is wonderful, an honour—and entirely deserved—that the king visited the players and the Shakespeare Theatre, including all the volunteers. We are incredibly proud of them.”