Internationaal Theater Amsterdam ends collaboration with director Ivo van Hove
The Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) has ended its collaboration with Belgian director Ivo van Hove, general director Clayde Menso announced on Wednesday. The decision was made "by mutual agreement" following allegations of transgressive behaviour by the Belgian director.
Van Hove had been at the ITA since 2001. He stepped down as artistic director on 1 September 2023, although his contract ran until the end of 2025. The ITA came under scrutiny later that month after Belgian actress Hélène Devos announced her resignation, citing "mental and physical abuse".
Investigations into organisational culture and personal impact confirmed Van Hove's transgressive behaviour. For years, the culture under Van Hove had been "insufficiently safe and inclusive", according to testimonies. The director himself said he was "deeply affected" by the internal investigations.
According to a recent report by the Dutch newspaper NRC, one in three ITA employees has experienced transgressive behaviour, including bullying, abuse of power, sexual transgression or physical violence. Van Hove is accused of being particularly demanding of his staff and not doing enough to stop the transgressive behaviour.
"Rest, recovery and renewal"
Despite his resignation last September, Van Hove continued to work with the ITA as a director and consultant. This collaboration has now come to an end, general director Clayde Menso has announced. In addition, the entire board of directors of the theatre is resigning with immediate effect.
The ITA needs "rest, recovery and renewal" following the publication of the reports, Menso said, and the resignations "provide space for the cultural change that the organisation now needs".
Van Hove is one of the most successful theatre directors. He has directed several Broadway productions, including 'Network' and 'West Side Story' and has won many awards for his work, including a Tony Award and a Laurence Olivier Award.
He is now artistic director of the Ruhrtriennale until 2026. The arts festival opened on Friday in Bochum, Germany, with the world premiere of 'I Want Absolute Beauty' - starring German actress Sandra Hüller ('Toni Erdmann', 'Anatomy d'une chute', 'The Zone of Interest') and music by PJ Harvey - and runs until 15 September.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO © Boris HORVAT / AFP
Related news
