Theatre
Review in pictures
Anyone who has visited the Shakespeare-Festivals of recent years at the Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen and at Schauspiel Essen knows that something special, unusual, and exciting is on offer here. Drama students from 5 different countries perform a piece by Shakespeare. Firstly, they put on their own production in their own language. Next, in a short rehearsal phase, they create an international performance in which all language barriers are dropped, and in which the theatre is truly international – with fire and passion. This energy and playfulness has always succeeded in enthusing its audiences.
For these audiences, and for us, it is now the sixth time. And this time it is one of the most famous comedies of the young Shakespeare, one of his first extravagant masterpieces, which connects several levels of the plot in a masterful and fascinating manner, with biting humour, with radical fantasy and imagination, and with precision, and therefore it truly is "A Midsummer Night’s Dream". It is about love, its inconstancy, and its nadirs – a confusion of feelings. And it is also about the theatre itself. We show Shakespeare’s gripping comedy in our own special international context, acted and loved by young people, whose talents are at the centre of the project.
This time there are four partners from across the world. The Lucian Blaga University Sibiu and Columbia University School of the Arts, two long-standing partners, will be represented again. The Drama Academy Ramallah in Palestinian territory is closely connected with Folkwang; and one of the best institutes of higher education in China, the Shanghai Theatre Academy, are taking part for the first time.
Information on the participating Universities
Lucian Blaga University, SibiuShanghai Theatre AcademyDrama Academy RamallahFolkwang University of the ArtsColumbia University School of the Arts | Theatre Arts Program
We would like to thank the following institutions for their support:
Students Union of Folkwang University of the Arts
Haus am Turm, Essen-Werden
Hotel Domstuben, Essen-Werden
Pizzeria Nonna, Essen-Werden