After a four-year hiatus from the stage due to illness, Dutch cabaret performer Sara Kroos is making her return with a new show titled Prikkelarme kermis. In a heartfelt interview on the television program Volle Zalen, Kroos opened up about her personal struggles, the fears that kept her away, and the journey she has taken to overcome them.
During her absence, Kroos faced tremendous challenges related to her health and psychological well-being. She revealed to interviewer Cornald Maas that before she stopped performing, a traumatic past haunted her. “Ja, in de vier jaar dat ik niet op het podium stond was ik te ziek en dacht ik dat ik nooit meer zou kunnen spelen. Het was heel verdrietig dat hetgeen wat ik het liefste doe niet meer kon,” she admitted. The sentiment of sadness echoed throughout her explanation as she reflected on the joy her craft used to bring her.
When asked what her days looked like during that difficult period, Kroos shared, “Overleven klinkt meteen heel zwaar, maar het was meer overleven dan leven.” She expressed that merely getting through each day was her primary focus. Conversations about her ordeal were reserved for a select few—the closeness of her wife and a handful of trusted friends—due to the shame she felt regarding her circumstances.
The topic of shame recurred in the discussion as Maas probed deeper into whether Kroos felt embarrassed about stepping back when she needed to heal. Kroos responded candidly, “Ja, ook daar zat schaamte, omdat ik het zo jammer vond. Erachter zit natuurlijk ook de gedachte: als ik maar beter mijn best had gedaan, als ik maar harder gewerkt had.” Here, she voiced her internal dialogue, grappling with feelings that sharpened her struggle.
Now, optimistic about her capabilities, Kroos described herself as determined and realistic about her future. Acknowledging the potential for setbacks, she stated, “Of ik bang ben voor een terugval? Ja. Ik zal zeker een aantal keer een terugval krijgen in mijn leven.” However, she feels equipped to manage any relapses due to the self-knowledge she developed during her recovery.
As she prepares to return to performance, Kroos has laid out a tour plan for this year, which she refers to as her re-integration year. She intends to perform in a small venue setting with her first show commencing in nine limited locations. “Dit jaar is mijn re-integratiejaar,” she declares, placing emphasis not on grandeur but on gradual steps back into the limelight.
Her cautious yet hopeful return speaks volumes about resilience in the face of adversity. Sara Kroos' journey from darkness back to light demonstrates her dedication both to herself and her audience as she rekindles her love for performing. While eagerly embracing this evolution, she explores her talents with refreshing honesty, creating an atmosphere of warmth and relatability in her shows.
Finally, as the curtains go up for her return performances, Kroos plans to share not just her humor but also the depth of her experiences that molded her into the artist she is today. Her audience will be treated not only to laughter but also to a message of hope and healing, as she embarks on this new chapter in her career.
