Germany
Saarländisches Staatstheater (State Theatre of Saarland)
Head Dramaturg: Ursula Thinnes
Playwright: Felicia Zeller
Play title: Plans
Saarländisches Staatstheater was opened in 1938 in Saarbrücken and was rebuilt after its destruction in 1942. After another reconstruction in 1971, it became the region’s state theatre. Today, the theatre itself combines four venues with different focuses: the Staatstheater Schillerplatz (featuring opera, musicals, drama, ballet, guest performances), the Old Fire Station (mainly featuring ballet), Congress Hall (mainly featuring concerts), and Sparte4 (a multifunctional space for theatre, concerts, readings, performances, focusing on contemporary drama). The last space, Sparte4, sees itself as a platform for regional and (inter)national cultural exchange: following each event, Sparte4 is transformed into an integrated bar in a living-room-type setting that encourages contact between artists and spectators.
Play Synopsis: It’s the classic setting for a TV sitcom. Three actors enter, and talk to imaginary cameras instead of each other. One is trying to make plans for what to do, but the others strike down any new thoughts and keep getting him or her stuck in their usual routine. In the digital world, does previous behavior cause future behavior?