Preview: Theatertreffen in China
By Andrew Chin
This partnership between Beijing based Wu Promotions and Theatertreffen Berlin will bring three of the 10 dramas presented at the German festival to China as chosen by a jury made up of representatives of both countries. The inaugural edition features three shows taking over NCPA Theatre in Beijing and Daning Theatre in Shanghai. Here's what's in store:
Common Ground
Yael Ronen’s original production explores the cast’s family backgrounds dealing with the Yugoslav War and their shared experiences moving to Berlin from Belgrade and Sarajevo to become actors. The illuminating show explores how the children of war crime victims live alongside the children of the perpetrators and lives up to the rich legacy of the Maxim Gorki Theatre, which was a powerful and critical voice in East Berlin.
Beijing: June 21-22, 7.30pm, RMB100-580. NCPA Theatre.
Shanghai: June 24-25, 7.30pm, RMB50-880. Daning Theatre.
John Gabriel Borkman
Established in 1901 by renowned stage actress Franziska Ellmenreich, the Hamburg-based Deutsches Schauspielhaus present their adaptation of John Gabriel Borkman.The second-to-last play by famed Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen follows the after-effects of the titular character’s imprisonment for speculating with investor’s money as a bank manager and its effect on his family’s fortunes.
Beijing: June 25-26, 7.30pm, RMB100-580. NCPA Theatre.
Shanghai: June 29-30, 7.30pm, RMB50-880. Daning Theatre.
Waiting for Godot
Theatertreffen in China concludes with The Deutsches Theater, Berlin’s minimalist adaptation of Samuel Beckett’s absurdist classic. Directed by Ivan Panteleev, the award-winning 2014 show continues the theater’s historic legacy of artistic innovation. Established in 1883, the Deutsches Theater was a leader of late 19th century Naturalist theater and a hotbed for experimental theater following World War II.
Shanghai: July 3-4, 7.30pm, RMB50-880. Daning Theatre.
Beijing: July 8-9, 7.30pm, RMB100-580. NCPA Theatre.
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