Die Parole heißt Emil

Tag!

Apologies that it's been so long since the last one, however, the world exclusive pictures you can have a peek at may hopefully go some way in the form of compensation.

I'm now really appreciating living here, well outside of the ungodly early starts, I love it. The theatre fluctuates quite a lot in how busy it is and how much there is to do. For instance, today was the start of the region's dance festival, but with no performances until thursday on the main stage, activity was very limited. I still really enjoy being able to walk across the stage and gaze dreamily out into the auditorium, it's really quite a buzz.

the main thing recently was last week. On the Saturday just gone it was the premiere of 'Emil und die Detektive'. I don't know if anyone's read the book, I know I did as a child and loved it (the English version of course). It was writeen by Erich Kästner in 1929 and is one of the best 20th century works of children's fiction. It follows the story of the young Emil who is on his way to visit his grandmother and cousin in Berlin, when he is robbed on the train by the shady Herr Grundeis. He meets Gustav and having gathered a band of children detectives they set about catching the thief. It's a story really about friendship and it's wonderful. The stage version this time round is a musical for children. However, this does not mean it's silly and overly simple. It's wonderfully crafted, with subtle physical comedy and a real emotional undercurrent that makes it very real. They had rehearsals pretty much all of last week, most of which I ended up watching. One performance in particular enthralled me, which was that of the Professorin played by an actress called Viola Pobitschka. She plays the shortsighted, very clever child, who assumes the head of operations, and she used wonderful nervous hand movements and constant adjusting of glasses with a slightly shy angled-downwards stance. I approached her at the start of one rehearsal and got to meet her briefly afterwards. That was really cool to talk to someone for whom acting is a day job and get her take on the play. She, as her character did seemed to show a real happiness in being in the play, and it certainly is a happy, surprisingly fulfilling watch.
Luckily for you lot, you get some rather exclusive photos that no one else has seen.

The next play to be premiered at the start of December is that of 'The Good Woman of Szechwan', which having studied Brecht last year and already seen this particular play, very much interests me. Hopefully I'll be able to bring you more soon.

I am now entering my last month here in Germany, so I'm trying to enjoy every moment I can. Luckily I'm really beginning to get a feel for the city and enjoy the European atmosphere. If anyone is thinking about spending a decent period of time abroad at some point, I would definitely recommend it as a wonderful experience and one that gives you a new perspective on things.

As ever feel free to ask any questions about anything you like.
I have also been to a German cinema, the main difference being that the seats are more comfortable, followed closely by the fact that everything is in German.
It was the new James Bond, which I suppose has the sort of one liners that you can't really translate from English. I had mixed feelings about it myself. Still.
Hope all is well over the seas.

Here's the link to the photos of Emil and you can also have a look at what else I've been up to.

Until the next time.
Keep smiling
Felix