kim-liaan van der meij takes on her first villain role as cruella de vil in new musical

2026-06-05 roddel

Amsterdam, vrijdag, 5 juni 2026.
after a twelve-year absence from the dutch stage, kim-liaan van der meij returns with a bang. fresh off winning a 2026 musical award, she embraces her first-ever villain role as the iconic cruella de vil in ‘101 dalmatiërs’. known for playing princesses and rebels, the 45-year-old finds freedom in portraying someone utterly without morals. despite loving dogs—she owns two alaskan malamutes—the actor dives deep into the character’s dark charm. rehearsals start in september, with the premiere set for december in amsterdam. she shares the role with anouk maas and cystine carreon, balancing performances between the netherlands and her home in sweden.

return to the spotlight after twelve years

After a twelve-year hiatus from the Dutch musical scene, Kim-Lian van der Meij makes a powerful comeback. She recently won the Musical Award 2026 for her performance in Stoornis of My Life, marking a triumphant return following her time abroad [1]. At age 45, she steps into one of theatre’s most notorious roles: Cruella de Vil in the upcoming production of 101 Dalmatiërs. Known previously for playing princesses or rebellious girls, she now embraces a darker persona [1]. This shift signals a bold evolution in her career trajectory [1].

embracing the villain for the first time

Playing Cruella marks Kim-Lian van der Meij’s debut as a theatrical antagonist [1]. She describes it as liberating to portray a character with no moral boundaries [1]. “Cruella has absolutely no morality, her will is law,” she said, adding that acting out such unrestrained behavior offers creative freedom absent in real life [1]. While acknowledging Cruella’s cruelty—especially her desire for a fur coat made from puppies—Van der Meij seeks emotional depth beneath the surface [1]. She aims to explore what drives Cruella’s hunger for attention and how that might humanize her slightly [1].

balancing personal values and dramatic portrayal

Despite embodying a character obsessed with fur fashion, Van der Meij personally opposes wearing animal fur [1]. She expressed strong discomfort at the idea, calling it “awful” [1]. A proud dog owner, she lives in Sweden with two Alaskan Malamutes—husky-like breeds known for heavy shedding [1]. Managing pet hair demands frequent cleaning, requiring vacuuming three times daily at home [1]. This contrast highlights her ability to separate personal ethics from artistic expression [1]. Her affection for animals underscores the irony of playing a villain whose ambition threatens innocent puppies [1].

shared lead role and rehearsal dynamics

The role of Cruella de Vil will be shared among three leading actresses: Kim-Lian van der Meij, Anouk Maas, and Cystine Carreon [2]. Rehearsals begin in September 2026, with both Van der Meij and Maas starting simultaneously [1]. As the opening night performer, Van der Meij will take initial leadership during rehearsals, allowing Maas to observe and learn before alternating duties [1]. From January 2027 onward, Carreon joins the rotation, dividing performances into weekly blocks [1]. This schedule enables Van der Meij to maintain family life in Sweden alongside her stage commitments [1].

scale and spectacle of the new production

Compared to earlier intimate works like Stoornis, 101 Dalmatiërs represents a massive theatrical undertaking [1]. The production features extravagant sets, exaggerated wigs, and elaborate costumes fitting its grand scale [1]. For the first time, Van der Meij collaborates with puppet performers who bring the dalmatians to life through innovative puppetry techniques [2]. She notes the technical adjustment required—not interacting directly with puppeteers but aligning focus toward the puppets themselves [1]. Directed by Carline Brouwer and translated by Danny Westerweel, the show promises humor, emotion, and visual splendor across all ages [2].

tour dates and venue rollout

The Netherlands premiere of 101 Dalmatiërs begins in October 2026 at Stadstheater Zoetermeer, running from the 22nd to the 25th [5]. Additional early shows occur in Almere on November 27 [6], followed by broader national touring through May 2027 [2]. International expansion includes performances in Flanders, specifically at Capitole Gent (December 23, 2026–January 3, 2027) and Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen (February 10–14, 2027) [4]. Ticket sales are managed via official channels including www.101demusical.be [4]. Production oversight comes from MediaLane, known for previous successes like Malle Babbe [4].

Bronnen

musical Cruella de Vil