Allumee Pays Tribute to *Soldaat van Oranje*—The Musical with a 1,000-Drone Show
July 2026
More than sixteen years, nearly 4,000 performances, and over 4 million audience members: Last weekend, the musical *Soldaat van Oranje* bid farewell to its audience. The final regular performance at Theater Hangaar concluded with a roughly ten-minute drone show, during which 1,000 drones reenacted scenes and characters from the musical. On Sunday, July 12, a final performance was held for the cast, crew, and guests: an intimate and definitive farewell.
That drone show? We’re the ones who created it. All on the down-low.
A musical like no other
To understand the scope of this project, one must first understand what *Soldaat van Oranje* means to the Netherlands. This musical, inspired by the wartime experiences of resistance hero Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, premiered in October 2010 at the iconic Theater Hangaar, a unique revolving theater built specifically for this production. Over the course of sixteen years, 31 actors have played the role of Erik; the musical has won several awards, including the Audience Award for the all-time favorite Dutch musical, and has drawn more than 4 million spectators.
Among the guests at this final public performance was also the nephew of the real Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, who had already attended the premiere. Dutch celebrities such as Jeroen Krabbé, Monique van de Ven, Kees Boot, and Renze Klamer made the trip to see the longest-running musical in Dutch theater history one last time. A guard of honor made up of veterans braved the summer heat to welcome the audience.
Paying tribute to a production of this caliber is no small responsibility.
A surprise for everyone, including the actors
What the audience didn’t know—what even the actors themselves didn’t know—was that the evening wasn’t over after the final curtain call. When a thousand drones soared into the night sky above the Theater Hangaar, it was a complete surprise.
An actor who had played the role of Chris for two years, six nights a week, had said beforehand, “There will be tears no matter what.” He didn’t know just how right he was.
The Dutch press unanimously described the two evenings as “moving.” On social media, the reaction was immediate and overwhelming.
In less than 48 hours, the numbers speak for themselves:
- Over 33,000 views and over 800 likes on Instagram
- Over 30,000 views and over 1,900 likes on TikTok
- Hundreds of heartfelt comments
Fans who have never seen the musical. Former audience members who recognize every scene in the sky. Actors who are discovering the tribute at the same time as the audience.
A creative process that began with an immersive experience
It all began well before July 11. To ensure the show would live up to expectations, our artistic director Pierre Gruner and 3D artist Jade Sang attended a performance in Amsterdam in late May—not to take notes, but to experience it. The emotions, the intensity, and the artistic soul of the musical.
They came back full of ideas.
Four artists from Allumee then spent a month working on this project, side by side with the artistic team from *Soldaat van Oranje*. Rudy Hellewegen ensured that every scene, every character, and every reference remained true to the musical’s universe. Michael de Vriend, a former actor and sound artist, served as the liaison between the two teams, translating the artistic intentions into a shared creative foundation that both teams could build upon.
What the show is about
The show not only tells the story of *Soldaat van Oranje*, but also celebrates its human legacy and behind-the-scenes story. For 8 minutes, a thousand drones traced the musical’s most iconic moments in the sky: the Queen of the Netherlands with her crown and her plane, the main character Erik and his duel with Antoine, and a ship caught in a storm.
But the show also provided a glimpse into what was happening behind the scenes: the famous autograph wall, the total number of performances, the photos taken after each show, as well as the musical’s two successive logos—the old one and the new one.
15 formations. A subdued color palette: green, orange, and blue. Realistic scenes, detailed faces, and meticulously crafted lighting effects to accentuate volume and contours. A relentless pace that leaves no room for respite.
“This show is a celebration of memorable moments, paying tribute to the artistic and technical achievements of the musical *Soldaat van Oranje*.” Jade Sang, 3D artist, Allumee
Allumee, the production partner for Europe's largest drone show
What This Means for Allumee
For Yorick van Vliet, Managing Director of Allumee Netherlands, this project holds special personal significance:
“Fifteen years ago, I was sitting in the auditorium at the age of 15, and I was completely blown away. That experience sparked my passion for performance technology and theater. Coming back fifteen years later to contribute to this tribute really brought things full circle in a special way. ” Yorick van Vliet, Managing Director, Allumee Netherlands
This show exemplifies what Allumee has been striving for since its founding in 2020: not just to sell drone shows, but to tell stories in the sky—stories that move, surprise, and leave a lasting impression.
Goodbyes are just an idea. ✨
A co-production by Soldaat van Oranje – De Musical X Allumee
Creative Vision: Rudy Hellewegen & Michael de Vriend
Creative Show Design: Pierre Gruner & Jade Ng Cheong Sang
Executive Producers: Mark De Kruijk & Yorick van Vliet
Music: Ruud Jan Bos
Film: Finn Bech
