“2017 Theatertreffen in China” hailed a great success at Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre on 8th July.

Organized by Wu Promotion, with the support of the Goethe-Institut China, “2017 Theatertreffen in China” hailed a great success at Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre on 8th July. Hereby we sincerely thank our partners Goethe-Institut China, Volkswagen China, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, Berliner Theatertreffen and the Laoshe International Drama Festival for supporting “Theatertreffen in China“ in 2017.At the same time, we wish to express our deepest gratitude to the six judges of “Theatertreffen in China”: Dr. Thomas Oberender, Director of the Theatertreffen; Chen Ping, Culture Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Germany; Dr. Clemens Treter, Director of the Goethe Institut China; Meng Jinghui, renowned Chinese director; Daniel Richter, co-director of Theatertreffen; and Yu Rongjun, Playwright & Vice President of SMEG Performing Arts Center.

From June 7th to July 8th 2017 two German avant-garde theatre productions with different styles and highly distinctive features were performed at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center: ‘der die mann’, based on texts by Konrad Bayer; directed by Herbert Fritsch, a production of Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz (June 7-8th), and the documentary theatre production “Tripping Stones State Theatre”, directed by one of the most famous documentary directors Hans-Werner Kroesinger, a production of Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe (July 7-8th). In addition to five theatre performances, Wu Promotion and the Goethe-Institut China also held guided talks, after-show discussions, directors’ workshops, repertoire screenings and dialogues between Chinese and German dramatists. The aim is to provide an opportunity for deep exchanges and meaningful dialogue between enthusiasts of the artistic works and German dramatists. More than 2000 members of the audience were mesmerized by the production and it aroused heated discussion in the Chinese media and among drama lovers.

On 7th and 8th July, more than 2000 audience came to join the last two performances of “der die mann” in China and were impressed by this unique stage style and enthusiastic performances. We would like to thank the following honorable guests who made their appearances for “ der die mann” : The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to China Michael Clauss, Director of Cultural Communication of Volkswagen China Dr.Christoph Ludewig, Vice President of Goethe-Institut Beijing Rafael Deschka, together with the General Manager of Wu Promotion Jiatong Wu.

On July 7th and 8th, the actors from Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe presented the documentary “Tripping Stones State Theatre” for 600 Chinese theater lovers in Beijing. It was the first time German documentary theater was presented on Chinese stages. All the well-designed interactive parts made the audiences highly engaged and enjoyed the show, contributing to the successful conclusion of its first china tour. The famous performing artist Lan Tianye, the renowned playwright Wan Fang and the well-known CCTV host Zhangyue enjoyed the last show. After the performance, they communicated with the production team and gave an overall positive comments on the 2017 “Theatertreffen in China”. We are looking forward to seeing you all in 2018!