ein AUSWÄRTSSPIEL der studiobühneköln

Cologne youth between rebellion and love of freedom 

a co-production by Frederike Bohr and studiobühneköln

„Ein Edelweiß ist frei, wunderbar frei, keine andere Blume ist so frei, wie ein Edelweiß. 

Wo die blüht, da wird uns nichts passieren.“ 

(Gertrud Koch, Edelweißpiratin)

A play for everyone about life back then and in the here and now.

The Edelweiss Pirates. This was the name given to groups of young people in the Cologne region from the mid-1930s. They opposed the policies of the National Socialists - non-conformist and at the risk of their lives. They wanted to be free in a time of constraints. Nature and music were important to them; they found a common voice and refuge in their songs.

In a time of conformity, the Edelweiss Pirates had the courage to follow their own ideals and seek their own paths. This confronts us today with the question of who or what we want to be: Do we dare to be democrats in our present, in which solidarity is urgently needed? Solidarity for all those who are discriminated against - through the rejection of diversity and otherness. Of everything that does not conform to the norm.

Then as now: constantly growing group-related misanthropy, which manifests itself in anti-Semitism, queerophobia and racism, among other things. With the stories and songs of the Edelweiss Pirates, we take a look at the past, but also at the complex political situation of the present.

TEAM

with: Luise Kinner, Aischa-Lina Löbbert and Pierre Siegenthaler as guests

and Max Altmann, Sascha Görg, Sophie Haase and Talea Jacobsen

Concept and production: Frederike Bohr

Musical direction: Regina Melech

Dramaturgy: Anthea Petermann

Play version: Marco Hasenkopf

Camera and visuals: K.-F. Baumgärtel, Helga Gorgs

Costume: Pia Maria Laabs, Aischa-Lina Löbbert

Technology and set construction: Fabian Dress

Stage design: Frederike Bohr

Lighting concept: Sascha Görg, Fabian Dress

Graphic design: Desiree Neumann/ dizkid

Finances and administration: Niels Nester

Press and public relations: neurohr & andrä

Supported by the Cultural Office of the City of Cologne, the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the NRW State Office for the Independent Performing Arts

With the kind support of the NS Documentation Centre Cologne - combined with the use of the exhibition materials from the 2005 exhibition ‘Von Navajos und Edelweißpiraten’ (Of Navajos and Edelweiss Pirates) by the NS Documentation Centre and the curator Martin Rüther. 

Our special thanks go to Hermann Rheindorf for the historical film material.