Natali Broods Leaves De Hoe After 26 Years
Natali Broods has announced her departure from the theater company De Hoe after a quarter-century, stating she no longer feels she has a fully valued place within the ensemble, De Standaard reported. Broods, who served as an iconic face and artistic core of the predecessor company De Koe, made the announcement following a period of intense doubt and sleepless nights.
The 50-year-old actor pointed to shifting dynamics following the 2021 merger that formed De Hoe—combining De Koe with the collective Hof Van Eede—as the catalyst for her exit. Broods stated that mediation sessions failed to resolve a growing isolation within the group, leaving her feeling as though she stood alone.
Family Ties Create Complex Conditions at De Hoe
De Hoe was formed in 2021 through the merger of De Koe, established by Peter Van den Eede and Willem de Wolf alongside Broods, and Hof Van Eede, which included Ans Van den Eede, Wannes Gyselinck, and Greg Timmermans. Broods noted that the combination of close familial ties within a small group—featuring a father-daughter duo and a romantic couple among the artistic core—created complex working conditions that strained her role.
Peter Van den Eede acknowledged that the news arrived as a shock to the company and described her departure as a major loss. Van den Eede attributed the internal friction to the growing pains of a merged organization that has expanded into a small enterprise, requiring members to renegotiate their roles. He emphasized that despite their close 26-year professional partnership, the group always treated each other as colleagues first.
Broods Seeks Therapy Before Finishing Final Performances
Broods revealed that the internal conflict and prolonged indecision led her to seek therapy and experience considerable distress. Despite the economic uncertainties of leaving a long-term position at age 50, she expressed a sense of relief upon making the final decision, stating a desire to choose personal happiness and breathe freely.
Broods will fulfill her remaining performance commitments for the current season, appearing in a successful revival of From sitcom and the new production Inter:view. Both Broods and Van den Eede noted that recent touring engagements, including a stop in Bordeaux, proceeded with professional camaraderie and shared laughter.
Future of De Hoe Without a Founding Face
Van den Eede noted that De Hoe has experienced regular turnover throughout its history, with notable artists such as Nico Sturm, Katelijne Damen, Frank Focketyn, Sien Eggers, Bruno Vanden Broecke, and Stefaan Van Brabandt passing through the company over the years. While recognizing Broods as an irreplaceable pillar who helped shape the company’s identity, Van den Eede stated that the ensemble will continue to evolve and transform following her departure.
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