fringe ensemble

»With the head in the wind and the pockets full of earth« – this is the title of a two-afternoon theatrical city tour created by Bonn’s fringe ensemble. We asked the artists what it’s all about.

1. who is the fringe ensemble? And what does the name mean?

The fringe ensemble has been around since 1999. We work here in Bonn in our home base, the theatre in Ballsaal, and produce our pieces there, which we then perform in Germany and abroad. Many of our projects are internationally co-produced – with a focus on Eastern Europe and West Africa. We work with artists from different genres and in most cases develop our own pieces – often for special locations such as a forest, a museum or, as in this case, for public, urban spaces.  

The term »fringe« has been important for independent theatre since the 1960s, when an alternative festival of the independent scene developed on the outskirts of the city alongside the largest institutional theatre festival in the world in Edinburgh.

2. At Beethovenfest 2024, you will be presenting a musical-theatrical journey through Bonn’s city centre. What can the audience expect?

The audience will be able to stroll through the city centre of Bonn and move around freely. They will be surprised by music, theatre and installations in very different places and on the streets. In the public space, our audience will mix with random people (passers-by), while in certain places only people with tickets will be allowed to enter.

3. how do you work on your new piece, how does the rehearsal process for a theatrical stroll work?

Once we had selected and developed the theme and content, we took a close look at the city centre and identified places and locations that seemed suitable. We then put together material as a team – director, music, set design, dramaturgy – tested it in smaller groups on location and determined the personnel requirements. Over 80 people – professionals and amateurs – will be involved in the performances.

4 »With the head in the wind and the pockets full of earth« – the title of your musical theatre stroll refers to nature. Are you looking for green oases or, on the contrary, do you want to draw attention to threats to nature in the city?

We are dealing with the topic of the relationship between nature and humans. This has developed into a disharmonious relationship and we urgently need to rethink it. We are bringing varied thoughts – philosophical, scientific, poetic – to Bonn’s city centre.

Jan Klare, the musical director of the project, will work with the participating instrumentalists and singers to develop sounding and tonal material that will cover the space we play in like a web. People will encounter this sonic world in different and new ways as they walk through the city centre.

5. do you think that bringing theatre to the street is the future in order to reach more people?

Theatre on the street is one of many ways and possibilities to reach people with art. The special potential is a very unique mix of audiences, which harbours a great opportunity to also appeal to people who are less familiar with the arts.