In 1994, the Royal Youth Theatre of Antwerp made a theatrical musical based on the Belgian comic series 'Suske en Wiske'. Professor Barabas is working on a fantastic new invention: the Star Tapper. The invention is not quite ready yet, but Wiske, curious as ever, can't wait to test the device. Of course, this goes completely wrong, because Krimson, meaner than ever, is also back. An adventurous journey takes the friends via the time machine to the Mayans, ancient Egypt and China.
In the 1890s, Father Adolf Daens goes to Aalst, a textile town where child labor is rife, pay and working conditions are horrible, the poor have no vote, and the Catholic church backs the petite bourgeoisie in oppressing workers. He writes a few columns for the Catholic paper, and soon workers are listening and the powerful are in an uproar. He's expelled from the Catholic party, so he starts the Christian Democrats and is elected to Parliament. After Rome disciplines him, he must choose between two callings, as priest and as champion of workers. In subplots, a courageous young woman falls in love with a socialist and survives a shop foreman's rape; children die; prelates play billiards.
Mr Van Peborgh, an "artiste photographe", remained alone with his three sons Henri, Frans and Louis after the death of his wife.The household is done by the maid Beth while the graceful girl Marie helps him in the store.The eldest son Henri is engaged to Hortense and thinks he's getting married soon.Louis wants to leave for America. The big engagement party on which the whole family is present starts without worry but ends up in a disaster because "It's cruel in the world".