The performance De Rijke Bramenplukker is based on a fairy tale by Godfried Bomans, telling the story of an old blackberry picker who lives in the forest, deeply connected with nature. The tale also features an explorer and the people of a city who are disconnected from the natural world. Theatermaker Frank Groothof guides us through a musical performance exploring themes of nature’s beauty, misunderstanding, greed, and the true meaning of wealth.Ensemble Sprank, consisting of three composer-improvisers, thrives on spontaneity and cross-genre collaborations. Their creative approach blends mutual respect, humor, and life inspiration, mirroring Frank Groothof’s storytelling style, which makes profound themes accessible to children through humor, relatability, and engagement.The trio comprises Suzan Veneman (trumpet), who studied jazz in Groningen and various U.S. cities; Hans van der Maas (accordion), trained in classical music, and currently working with Chick Corea and in electronica; and Sylvia Maessen (composer/contrabassist), who works across classical, jazz, world music, and theater. Their love for music fuels their spontaneous and creative collaborations, providing the foundation for the 8 compositions that form the core of this performance.