Theatre. Improvised

Wow. 10 years of this Improv Festival. For the anniversary we Gorillas have come up with something special. In 2011, we will have full-length shows, improvised in the style of selected playwrights as the focus of the festival. Together with international artists we’re showcasing the following six authors.

August Strindberg

Just like August Strindberg himself fluctuated between tragic comedy and dreamscapes, spirituality and madness, the festival ensemble will visit different worlds as they discover new sides of the great Swedish dramatist. Projections of scenes from his life and work will inspire the actors to create fresh new stories in the style of Strindberg.

➔ Tickets Saturday, 19.3.
20.30 Uhr Ratibor Theatre
(Stockholms Improvisationsteater)
In English

➔ Tickets Wednesday, 23.3. and
➔ Tickets Thursday, 24.3.
20 Uhr Vaganten Bühne
(Festival Ensemble)
In English

Eugène Ionesco

When we asked our excellent French colleagues which author they wanted to explore at the festival, they wrote back five minutes later with: Ionesco. And they sent the following text - in French. So we let a big search engine translate it. Here's what it came up with:
»I have no idea before writing a play. I once I wrote the piece; while I did not write. I believe that artistic creation is spontaneous.« Art should be the vehicle of an ideology, it is necessarily poorer than ideologically ideology itself, so no ... No, an artist must feed on universal themes such as fear of death, the need communication, social life. That's what it will ... do not mean a priori, nothing absolutely want to develop, open but that the moment of creation we offer universal! Throughout his work, Ionesco highlights the emptiness of language. It uses the deconstruction of the French language, playing on words as a person. Often interpreted as a criticism of English society, is in The Bald Soprano reality a succession of aftershocks voluntarily empty, paraphrasing the dialogue in a Handbook of learning English. The emptiness of language reminds us of the emptiness of social relations. »No comedy show, but the farce, parody extreme load. Funny, yes, but with means of burlesque. A comic drive, without finesse, too. No comedy drama, not more. But back to the unbearable. grow at climax, where are the sources of tragic.«

➔ Tickets Sunday, 20.3.
20.30 Uhr Ratibor Theatre
(Compagnie Combats Absurdes)
In French

➔ Tickets Friday, 25.3. and
➔ Tickets Saturday, 26.3.
20 Uhr Vaganten Bühne
(Festival Ensemble)
In German

Georg Büchner

Georg Büchner, whose »Woyzeck« is one of the most performed and celebrated plays ever to grace the German stage, holds very peculiar fascination for us. Die Gorillas and the entire (German speaking) Festival Ensemble will embark on the exciting journey to present the style, depth, and sound of this young playwright who died far too young.

➔ Tickets Monday, 21.3.
20.30 Uhr Ratibor Theatre
(Die Gorillas)
In German

➔ Tickets Tuesday, 22.3. and
➔ Tickets Thursday, 24.3.
20.30 Uhr Ratibor Theatre
(Festival Ensemble)
In German

Shakespeare

Improvising in the style of probably the greatest playwright in theater history will be the raucous conclusion of the 2011 festival. Comedy, tragedy, fairies and kings will all take the stage in this show.

➔ Tickets Saturday, 26.3.
20.30 Uhr Ratibor Theatre
In English

George F. Walker

Crumbs, masters of the absurd, ironic and satirical will present their show this year in the style of contemporary Canadian playwright Walker - and through him showcase their own brilliant work. Known for his satirical black comedies influenced by pop culture, Walker is a master of absurd characters and plotlines. You can look forward to seeing the Canadian playwright as you’ve never seen him before, with that Crumbs flair you’ve come to love.

➔ Tickets Monday, 21.3. and
➔ Tickets Tuesday, 22.3.
20 Uhr English Theatre Berlin
In English

Tennessee Williams

On the 100th anniversary of his birth, it seemed fitting to perform in the style of America’s most famous playwright this festival. So, three evenings of this year’s fest will be improvised à la Tennessee Williams, who penned such great works as »A Streetcar Named Desire« and »Cat on a Hot Tin Roof«.

➔ Tickets Wednesday, 23.3.
20 Uhr English Theatre Berlin
(unexpected productions)
In English

➔ Tickets Friday, 25.3. and
➔ Tickets Saturday, 26.3.
20 Uhr English Theatre Berlin
(Festival Ensemble)
In English

Following the performance on Saturday, the English Theatre Berlin will hold a »Screaming Stella« contest. The stage will be open to anyone who thinks that they can really holler for Stella (or Stanley). A jury will decide whose performance is most convincing. More info at the English Theatre Berlin.