A Foreign Love Story - theatrale Stadtraumerkundung durch Deutz

In the organizer's words:

Is a subway shaft an idyll? distriktneun turns Cologne-Deutz into the setting for a theatrical exploration of the district with drama, puppetry and music. The ensemble transposes Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's idyll Hermann and Dorothea, published in 1797, into today's urban space and presents A Foreign Love Story. The love story between Hermann, a contact-shy son from a wealthy family, and Dorothea, a penniless but independent girl on the run, was a taboo-breaker and is just as relevant today as it was then.

In the 19th century, Hermann and Dorothea was Goethe's most widely read work, almost compulsory reading in schools and for the middle classes, a veritable cult book. Later it was considered stuffy and almost forgotten. The adaptation by distriktneun examines urban idyll and home, focuses on Hermann's rebellion against an oppressive parental home and draws the psychogram of a fugitive in Goethe's hexameter. Under the direction of Andrea Bleikamp (wehr51), the idyll becomes an idyllical, played by Thomas Krutmann (Raketenklub), who enters into a dialog with the puppet show by Marion Bihler-Kerluku (LUK Puppentheater). The scenery - the streets around Deutz station, platforms and subway shafts - puts Goethe's poetry in a new and interesting context, as does the live electronics by Cologne musician and composer Doro Bohr (composersfield).

Turning public space into a stage has been part of distriktneun's artistic concept for many years. In recent years, the ensemble has repeatedly explored the urban space: in the footsteps of Heinrich Heine around Mülheimer Brücke or Heinrich Böll in Cologne's Südstadt district. Hermann and Dorothea premiered in Mülheim in 2020 - according to legend, Goethe himself was once there. Audiences and the press were enthusiastic. Now the neighborhood exploration is being restaged in Deutz.

Press reviews:

"The tavern scene, in which the two examiners are represented by hand puppets, is the comedic highlight of the play. In general, the trio, acting at speed, get a lot of entertainment out of the classic material. (...) This lively production breathes new life into Goethe's out-of-fashion didactic play." - Norbert Raffelsiefen, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger

"The spectacle attracts everyone's attention in the late summer twilight, even from the windows they look, the curious people. (...) A combination of poetics and exploration of urban space brings you closer to your own neighborhood once again." - Rosanna Grossmann, Choices

"When Krutmann concludes the tour in a poignant monologue at the end of a platform, everything has really succeeded. Music, puppetry and performance are understood at close quarters as a unity that rolls through Mülheim like another planet. The applause is unending, and performers and audience members stand together on the station forecourt for a long time afterwards to talk about the play. Theater could hardly be more beautiful." - Michael Zerban, original sound

Credits:
Puppeteer/puppet maker: Marion Bihler-Kerluku / Actor: Thomas Krutmann / Director: Andrea Bleikamp / Composition & music: Soho.Fox / Public relations: neurohr & andrä / Graphic design & photographer: Sandy Craus / Artistic director: Marco Hasenkopf / Production: d9 - distriktneun

Supported by: Cultural Office of the City of Cologne