The Swampborn - A Baroque Novela for Berlin
Matthaei & Konsorten
Theatre-Film
available on demand
Berlin, born of swamp and named after it, began to develop its basic form in the 17th century, which still shapes the city today. Our clichés of the Baroque usually consist of stucco-decorated facades, symmetries of park design or the palatable display of splendor and opulence. The free ensemble around director Lukas Matthaei dives deeper into the conceptual, thought and life worlds of the early modern era and discovers its other sides: The beginning of colonial history, which still has an effect today, the politics of dances and social codes, the dirt of the city and the fear of death in the face of plague and war.
The results and cores of these investigations are now being incorporated into a theatrical film: The ballroom of the Sophiensæle is transformed into an installation between film set and surround theater. The cast shamelessly appropriates allegories, emblems, dances, texts, and sounds of the Baroque period, and through them allows their own diverse portraits to emerge between transience and lust for life. And gradually a baroque ball unfolds to live baroque music accompanied by electrosamples.
Credits
by and with: Klaus Janek, Milena Kipfmüller, Jörg Lukas Matthaei, Adrian Navarro, André Nittel, Bati Nehoya, Volker Sobottke, Anne Welenc Direction: Jörg Lukas Matthaei
Dramaturgy: Milena Kipfmüller
Musical Direction/ Composition: Klaus Janek
Scenography/ Costumes: Michael Graessner
Production Management: Sarah Stührenberg
Artistic Contribution: Sofie Neu Additional
Scenography Contribution: Lotti Maurer
Make Up: Lilo Reuthe
Technical Director: Chris Umney
Camera: Florian Krauss
Edit: Federico Neri
PR: Nora Gores
Social Media: Alexandra Lauck
Photography: Merlin Nadj-Torma
Die Sumpfgeborene is a production by matthaei & konsorten in co-production with SOPHIENSÆLE. Supported by the Senate Department for Culture and Europe and the Performing Arts Fund with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. With the support of Theater Thikwa and the costume workshops and props department of Theater an der Parkaue.
Media partner: taz.die tageszeitung
