Stefan Kaegi (Rimini Protokoll)
This Is Not an Embassy (Made in Taiwan)
Berlin, Eison, Taipei
Without a doubt: there is no way around tiny Taiwan. Between the People’s Republic of China's desire for annexation and the technological needs of Western market economies, this small island state, the self-proclaimed Republic of China, finds itself in aconstantly difficult situation. Stefan Kaegi from Rimini Protokoll, one of the most active documentary theatre collectives in the German-speaking world, travelled to Taipei and met dramaturge Szu-Ni Wen. Together they developed «Dies ist keine Botschaft», a visually powerful play about diplomacy and the cross-border possibilities of theatre.
The piece simulates nothing less than the establishment of a Taiwanese embassy – to this day, most countries do not officially recognise Taiwan as a state out of consideration for the People’s Republic’s one-China policy. So what if Taiwan were a sovereign, independent state? Three experts of everyday life – an activist, a former diplomat and a musician and heiress of a bubble tea company – reflect on this subject in a performance that is both humorous and critical. All three live in Taiwan, come from different generations and represent different different social positions and political views. During this dialectical evening, the theatre is defined as a safe space to try out free thinking beyond realpolitik. A serious and informative event that will nevertheless win you over in a playful way. (se)
Simple words
In the performances of Rimini Protokoll, the performers are often no actors.
They are people like you and me.
Their new play is about Taiwan.
Taiwan is an island near China.
Taiwan is fighting for recognition.
Three Taiwanese citizens are on stage and talk about their country.
Together, they establish a Taiwanese embassy.
You learn a lot about Tawain.
But above all, it is also fun.
Artistic direction and cast
| Konzept & Regie | Stefan Kaegi |
|---|---|
| Mit | Chiayo Kuo, Debby Szu-Ya Wang, David Chienkuo Wu |
| Dramaturgie & Mitarbeit Regie | Szu-Ni Wen |
| Szenografie | Dominic Huber |
| Video | Mikko Gaestel |
| Musik | |
| Polina Lapkovskaja (Pollyester), Debby Szu-Ya Wang, Heiko Tubbesing | |
| Recherche Taiwan | Yinru Lo |
| Videoshooting | Philip Lin |
| Licht | Pierre-Nicolas Moulin |
| Co-Dramaturgie | Caroline Barneaud |
| Mitarbeit Regie | Kim Crofts |
| Mitarbeit Szenografie | |
| Matthieu Stephan (trainee) | |
| Œil extérieur | Aljoscha Begrich, Viviane Pavillon |
| Produktion Europa | Tristan Pannatier (Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne) |
| Produktion | |
| Taiwan | Chin Mu (NTCH) |
| Foto | Claudia Ndebele |
Production
| Produktion | Rimini Apparat, Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne, National Theater & Concert Hall, Taipei |
|---|---|
| Kopro- duktion | Zürcher Theater Spektakel, Berliner Fest- spiele, Volkstheater Wien, Centro Dramático Nacional Madrid, Festival d’Automne à Paris, National Theatre Drama/Prague Crossroads Festival |
| Unterstützung | Centre culturel de Taïwan à Paris, Prix Tremplin Leenaards/La Manufacture |
| Premiere | Januar 2024, Berliner Festspiele |
Werft
Documentary theatre. Free thinking beyond realpolitik
Coproduction
Duration
1.40 hrs.
Language
English and Chinese
Surtitles
German and English
Age
14 years plus
Post-Performance Talk
Fri 30.8., after the performance
An inclusive event
Audio Description
performance on Fri 30.8. with live audio description
Content Notes / Trigger Warning
The performance contains video recordings, alarm lights and sounds of earthquakes.
There are moments of interaction between performers and audience.
Dates
shows from today- Th 29.08. 19:00 - 20:40 CHF 49.–/29.–
- Fr 30.08. 19:00 - 20:40 CHF 49.–/29.–
- Sa 31.08. 19:30 - 21:10 CHF 49.–/29.–