A strange family indeed

INTERVIEW. Veteran actor Tom Strauss is giving The Lab, a play programme at ETB dedicated to presenting contemporary English works, the revival it deserves. The May edition features Cinders on Sun, May 20.

May 11, 2012 by Summer Banks in Stage

Speed dating the Stückemarkt

INTERVIEWS. Three up-and-comers from Theatertreffen's Stückemarkt, Pamela Carter, Julia Holewińska and Magda Fertacz, give us quick takes on what makes them, and their plays, tick. Enjoy getting to know them here!

May 8, 2012 by Summer Banks in Stage

A cinematic Dudamel

Young Venezuelan-born conductor Gustavo Dudamel made both critics and audiences 'wow' on April 26 with a tour-de-force of powerful, immersive music showing that the Berlin Philharmonic definitely has something fresh to boom about.

May 7, 2012 by Ida Rud in Stage

Theatertreffen 2012: A German theatre summit

May 4-21 marks the return of the eclectic TT. Hosted by Haus der Berliner Festspiele, it promises the 10 most noteworthy productions from the German-speaking theatre world. Check our own cooperation with Theatertreffen Blog for the latest on it.

May 2, 2012 by Summer Banks in Stage

Theatertreffen acting fact-file

The €5,000 Alfred-Kerr-Preis for the best performance at the Theatertreffen was awarded yesterday to Fabian Hinrichs. But among the copious and varied styles of acting how did they choose? Perhaps they took a page out of our fact-file.

May 21, 2012 by Miriam Sherwood in The Theatertreffen Blog

Theatric-O-Meter

The Theatertreffen has a reputation for attracting productions that are remarkable in at least one aspect, but what do these prodigious plays have in common? We've worked out some of the statistics so check them out and find out who the winner is.

May 21, 2012 by Miriam Sherwood in The Theatertreffen Blog

Platonov: The premiere

Traditionally many of Chekhov's comedies have been interpreted as tragedies, but not so with Hermanis' Platonov. Through a brilliant cast, adept staging directions, and a wonderful set, he creates a humorous, slice of Russian upper-class in collapse.

May 21, 2012 by Miriam Sherwood in The Theatertreffen Blog

The surtitle situation

Surtitles has always been a topic of heated debate. If executed properly, surtitles enhance the production and create a larger audience, but many times this is not the case. Maybe it's better to do away with them and enjoy the language of theatre.

May 21, 2012 by Miriam Sherwood in The Theatertreffen Blog (1 Comments)

Mutter old but epic!

Seventy-three years later and Bertolt Brecht's Mutter Courage und Ihre Kinder still delivers. With a strong cast, Paul Dessau's music and direction by Claus Peymann, this production is a amazingly crafted and worth the ticket price.

May 10, 2012 by Walter Crasshole in Stage

Too much is never enough!

Our recommendations for Camp/ Anti-Camp, dazzling with a mix of substantial lectures and fanciful performances. The Queer Guide to Everyday Life hits HAU 2 on Thu, Apr 19.

Apr 16, 2012 by Summer Banks in Stage

Chuckles in the dark

S.D.Clifford's production about a man who must plan his own state-mandated death at English Theatre Berlin finds a comedic way to highlight life's little inconveniences with a macabre touch.

Jan 12, 2012 by Alice Bauer in Stage

Venue Profile: Dock 11

With dancers, from young to old, first timers to professionals, Dock 11 has become one of the most exciting venues in Berlin and has made a name for itself within the international contemporary dance scene.

Dec 22, 2011 by Summer Banks in Stage

Photo by Anna Achon

Tanz Im August 2011

Anna Achon visited some of the best productions of Tanz Im August. Take a look at her photos from the African and fusion-focused dance festival of 2011.

Fritz Bornemann model of the Freie Volksbühne

The roots of the Haus der Berliner Festspiele

At the time of the erection of the wall, the West Berlin government commissioned renowned architect Fritz Bornemann to design a new theatre for the Western part of the city. The Theater der Freien Volksbühne opened its doors in 1963, managed by the theatre director Erwin Piscator until his death in 1966. Having held events there since its opening, in 2001 the Berliner Festspiele took it over, renaming it Haus der Berliner Festspiele.

The Feast of Pan

Staples of the Berlin underground since they found their way here seven years ago, Mad Kate (aka Kathryn Fischer) and Juan de Chamié work within and between the worlds of fashion, music and performance art, raising questions about sex, gender and fantasy. Combining all of their mediums in one, the opening of their EXIT boutique in Kreuzberg was a fashion show titled The Feast of Pan inspired by a Baroque painting, and featuring a filmed orgy. Exberliner was there to capture the decadent event. All photos by Anna Achon