oops, we are still playing

WORLD PREMIERE

21 April 2022

Komödie Düsseldorf

EINE PRODUKTION DES THEATER DER KLÄNGE

Let’s not be shown up!
There would be no more need –
Theatre of the Closed Doors –
we could already feel the end.
After the crisis, no return?

J.U. Lensing

The Corona restrictions hit art and culture – and especially the performing arts and music – particularly hard. Theatres and concert halls were closed, guest performances were cancelled by the dozen, and an entire sector was unemployed overnight.

More difficult than that, however, was the sudden realisation that art and culture – and especially the live arts – were the ones most likely to be dispensed with, and for the longest time. While economic life continued in the home office, and sports, shops and restaurants were gradually allowed to reopen, the theatres and concert halls remained closed almost continuously from spring 2020 to autumn 2021.

Complaining was not the solution – but reflection, questioning and contemplation were called for. When the first rehearsal, audition and workshop dates became possible again in spring 2021, the invited performing artists were delighted that dance and drama were finally possible again in an ensemble. This joy in doing one’s own thing became the subject of the revue oops, we are still playing.

In the style of the cabaret revues of the 1920s – but modernised to themes, questions and forms of presentation as well as the music of our time – THEATER DER KLÄNGE performed this revue evening from 21 to 24 April 2022 in the theatre hall of the Düsseldorf Komödie. A twelve-member dance, music and acting ensemble transformed the stage into a place of poetry, play, dance, songs, magic and questions for the audience.

To coincide with the premiere, a CD of the same title was released – featuring 11 songs and dance pieces composed, arranged and largely performed by the ensemble especially for this revue: a sounding document of an extraordinary theatrical moment.