2013 In Retrospect

"When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things - not the great occasions - that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness."

Bob Hope

2013 In Retrospect

2013 in regards to theatre was rather unexciting, one reason why I spent a lot more time on travelling, especially this summer when German rail had its regular summer offer of a one month rail pass, with seeing less performances than the years before. I just hit the magic number of 100 theatre visits largely due to several visits of the same show as "Villa Sonnenschein" and an increasing number of going to plays at local theatres here in Hamburg having actually seen more play productions than musicals this year.

There are just so many productions of Evita etc. I want to see especially when I really do not fancy the 100th weird casting from the in house opera ensemble who are too often overstrained.
But fortunately there a few highlights. 

Absolute highlight in 2013 was by far "Once". It took some time till I got to see it at last, a mix of no time, other plans, not interested in going to London before, but so worth the wait. 

Can a musical be any more perfect than this gem? I doubt it. While I normally have no issues with different opinions, as long as am not patronised about it, but anyone saying this is a dull show, has absolutely no clue or cannot treasure proper theatre. I have hardly ever seen a show that is so perfectly directed, choreographed, cast etc focusing on what is important for me in theatre. 

Another highlight was the showcase of "Grey Gardens" in Berlin in February. 

I went just for that show to Berlin, a city I do not like, on a midweek day straight after work (and straight to work the day after) in February and so worth it. "Grey Gardens" is a decent show but with the incredible directing concept by Martin G. Berger and the stunning cast it was an experience of its own kind. 

Martin G. Berger also is also partly to be "blamed" ( ;-) ) for the other highlight - "Galathea Bleibt" at the opera in Hanover a few days later with most probably one of the best performances of the year by Julia Klotz. 

Special mentioning needs to go to the beautiful production of "Peter Pan - das Nimmerlandmusical". Yes, slightly biased due to financial involvement and adoring two of the creatives on stage in past but this show just simply IS magical and also taking kids seriously. 

Summer highlight (though I did not see much) was the simplistically staged production of "Sweeney Todd" in Ettlingen after originally not in mood seeing it after seeing the ridiculous TfN musical company production.

Talking about the TfN musical company - unfortunately for me the let down of the year delivering not only the bad "Sweeney Todd" production but also pathetic productions of "Hair" and "Rocky Over The Rainbow"

I actually do not want to say more about this theatre and again I also do not need anyone to be patronising with me about that there would some misunderstanding who is in charge for productions and who is not and what the job is of the walking prop (I so love that phrase, thanks V!) is, it is just simply NO FUN any more going to Hildesheim these days. 

I know my share about theatre productions, I also know that life is not just black and white and when people's performances come across as very much the same when there is a different director and the characters are also of different kind an explanation is not as simple as some twist it. 

Disappointing was also the latest Schmidt Theater production "Königs Vom Kiez", there are just so many shows with the same cheap jokes and melodies I can take. 

Play highlights were also numbered. I saw a lot of good ones, but not many worth to be specially mentioned. My personal highlight was "Rain Man" at the Hamburger Kammerspiele.

Other highlight was the hilarious production of "Eine Sommernacht" (Midsummer) starring Tanja Wedhorn and Oliver Mommsen, which I saw at the Ohnsorg Theater as part of the "Privattheatertage" festival.
Written by David Greig and Gordon McIntyre it tells of Helena and Bob, two mismatched 35-year olds who meet in a bar at the start of the Midsummer long-weekend.
They are an odd couple but somehow things develop with the two. The play is funny, often just simply silly, and sad, sentimental and bawdy and just touching and when a play is performed with so much eagerness by the two actors, even when there is the odd forgotten line, it just makes fun, fun and even more fun.
So glad that I can see this delightful production at the Winterhuder Fährhaus during a proper run soon again

2014 is hopefully a bit more exciting starting off for me tomorrow - with a play....