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Theatre

German Staatstheater

Toneelhuis, Kunstenwerkplaats, Rosie Sommers en Micha Goldberg

GERMAN STAATSTHEATER is a tragicomic show about the unremitting pressure of work that many of us experience, with stress and burnouts as the result. 
The grand, traditional ‘German Staaatstheater’ is the source of inspiration for theatre makers Micha Goldberg & Rosie Sommers (Ne Mosquito Pas). The term ‘German state theatre’ stands for a type of theatre that developed under the leadership of directors (usually male) who staged socially relevant repertoire plays in collaboration with an ensemble of actors steadily employed by the theatres. 

Goldberg and Sommers question the monumentality and production logic behind this way of working, and see it as an absolute antithesis of their own contemporary theatre practice. They wonder whether this type of theatre is not a blueprint of the imperative working conditions in our capitalism-driven society as a whole.

The show responds with humour to a German tradition that is familiar in the theatre world, without falling into clichés and resorting to predictable parities. On the contrary, it tries to match its seriousness, dedication and intensity. In full dedication, including their own viewpoint into perspective, the makers utilize the often-exaggerated style of classical theatre acting to celebrate its absurdity. 

Thirteen actors collectively create a series of intense, absurdist scenes that magnify people’s exhaustion in order to point up the overwork in our society. They take the compelling working conditions that are familiar on shop floors in countless sectors and turn them into a nonstop slapstick of people under high stress, whose dedication to acting like they think ‘professionals’ should act ultimately becomes grotesque. 

GERMAN STAATSTHEATER is a tornado of panic that turns into humour and self-mockery, only to ultimately reveal the strength of our society. Here, theatre is a place to celebrate ‘wasted’ energy, in the form of exuberant fun. 

A powerful, contrarian but absolutely generous show.
 

"We wanted to combine our idea of the GERMAN STAATSTHEATER, the big theatre, the exaggeration of emotions, with these ugly feelings."

artistic coordination

  • Rosie Sommers en Micha Goldberg

performers

  • Micha Goldberg
  • Rosie Sommers
  • Loucka Elie Fiagan
  • Simon Baetens
  • Giulia Piana
  • Lydia McGlinchey
  • Milka Mbunga Kongi
  • Dahlia Pessemiers-Benamar
  • Simon Van Schuylenbergh
  • Natacha Nicora
  • Ariadna Rubio Lleó
  • Anna Franziska Jäger
  • Nathan Ooms

dramaturgical advice

  • Elisa Liepsch

dramaturgy

  • Nathan Ooms
  • Anna Franziska Jäger

light

  • Max Adams

sound

  • Milan van Doren

technician

  • Vic van den Bossche

geschilderde achtergrond

  • Veronika Bezdenejnykh
  • Johannes Arnauts

surtitles

  • Freek Willems

production

  • Kunstenwerkplaats

coproduction

  • Toneelhuis
  • Les Halles de Schaerbeek
  • VierNulVier

Met de financiële steun van

  • de Vlaamse Gemeenschap
  • De Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie

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There are no upcoming activities for this event.

  1. Saturday 24 February 2024 — 20h00 — Bourlaschouwburg, Antwerpen
  2. Saturday 13 April 2024 — 20h00 — VIERNULVIER/Theaterzaal, Gent
  3. Wednesday 7 August 2024 — 20h00 — Theater Aan Zee, Oostende

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