Ruud Smulders, Lisa Ostermann, and the cabaret duo Yentl en de Boer won Poelifinario cabaret awards during a gala event at Theater Diligentia in Den Haag, nos.nl reported. The Vereniging van Schouwburg- en Concertgebouwdirecties handed out the trophies for the 2025–2026 theater season, recognizing standout performances across three distinct categories. There is no monetary prize attached to the Poelifinario trophies.
The Award Winners at a Glance
- Ruud Smulders: Won his first Poelifinario in the Entertainment category for his show Rüdsichtslos.
- Lisa Ostermann: Secured her second Poelifinario in the Engagement category for her production De Baas.
- Yentl en de Boer: Claimed their second Poelifinario in the Kleinkunst category with the performance Rekhalzen.
Recognizing Excellence in Entertainment and Engagement
The annual Cabaretgala brought together the top tier of Dutch theater performers on Monday night. Ruud Smulders, 39, claimed the Poelifinario in the Entertainment category for the first time, and the seven-member cabaret jury lauded him as one of the most interesting creators in the cabaret field. In 2024, Smulders was already nominated for the Neerlands Hoop prize.
Lisa Ostermann, 34, took home her second career Poelifinario in the Engagement category for her second soloproduction, De Baas, having previously won in 2024 for her second solo show Makkelijk in de omgang. The production focuses on her desire for children and her quest for control over her own life, earning praise for drawing audiences directly into her personal narrative.
Kleinkunst Success and Future Tour Dates
In the Kleinkunst category, the duo Yentl en de Boer—consisting of Christine de Boer, 43, and Yentl Schieman, 39—earned their second Poelifinario for the production Rekhalzen, after previously hoping for a nomination while finding the win a surprise. According to the jury, their characteristic humor shines through songs addressing obstacles, unfulfilled promises, and the surreal experience of singing to a man on his deathbed. Yentl Schieman hails from Kruiningen, and the duo previously won a Poelifinario in 2023 for Modderkruipers, alongside two Annie M.G. Schmidtprijs wins for their songwriting in 2015 and 2021.
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The awards event also featured a tribute to the recently deceased cabaret performer and writer Paulien Cornelisse, with Yentl en de Boer dedicating a song to her prior to the award presentations.
Emerging Talent and Upcoming Performances
| Winner | Category | Show Title | Award Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruud Smulders | Entertainment | Rüdsichtslos | First Poelifinario win |
| Lisa Ostermann | Engagement | De Baas | Second Poelifinario win |
| Yentl en de Boer | Kleinkunst | Rekhalzen | Second Poelifinario win |
| David Linszen | Neerlands Hoop | Striptease van de Dood | Promising talent award |
Last year, the awards went to Jochem Myjer for entertainment, Soundos El Ahmadi for engagement, and Jan Beuving for kleinkunst. Following their win at Theater Diligentia, Yentl en de Boer will continue touring, with an upcoming performance of Rekhalzen scheduled at the Scheldetheater in Terneuzen on October 29.
