IDOBATA Stories
15 Oct - 12 Nov
Theater Branoul in The Hague hosts IDOBATA Stories, a storytelling evening where real, personal stories take centre stage. Host Terra Norihiro Terazawa – Japanese storyteller and theatre-maker – welcomes anyone who wants to listen, connect or share a story of their own. The evening takes place on Saturday, 19 September 2026.
The Hague is a city full of voices, cultures and stories – yet a place where all those stories truly come together has long been missing. IDOBATA Stories fills that gap. The name refers to the Japanese tradition of gathering at the 'idobata', the village well: a place to pause, talk and listen. For one evening, Theater Branoul transforms into a softly lit, welcoming living room – no fuss, no formality.
Terra Norihiro Terazawa: storytelling in The Hague
The evening is hosted by Terra Norihiro Terazawa, a Japanese storyteller and theatre-maker based in The Hague, with a background as director of a storytelling centre. Terazawa creates a space with no barriers: no scripts, no harsh spotlights and no expectations. Those with a story to share are welcome to tell it. Those who simply want to listen are equally at home. The power of the evening lies in the honesty and the connection between people who may never have crossed paths before.
Practical: how to join
No ticket is required. Entry works on a donation basis, with a suggested amount of ten euros. A reservation is advisable, as capacity at Theater Branoul is limited. Want to make a full evening of it? Before the storytelling session, the theatre café serves dinner prepared by chef Jeroen van Loon. The rotating main course is also available as a vegetarian option – just mention this when booking. The café is open for dinner from 18:30.
