Gob Squad

Western Society

  • Theatre
German /  English /  105 min.

“In the beginning, the gods gave us liberty. In the end, we discovered cheating...”

(Sheila Heti)

“Western Society” is a portrait of civilisation in the 21st century, like a frame through which we can peep into the living room of an unknown family, and recognize ourselves. In a far corner of the internet, Gob Squad have found a fairly unspectacular home video, of a family gathering somewhere at the edge of the western world, a waste product of our civilisation. There’s a party going on. A room full of people. Family, friends and strangers are gathered around a karaoke machine, alone together and together alone.

Gob Squad, dressed head to toe in gold, want to bring this little moment of lived reality back to life and they want to get the image just right. As the reconstruction gets underway, they search for answers, ponder the nature of true happiness, show their best sides and spill their stories, projecting themselves into this tiny piece of history. 

“Western Society” is inviting and isolating. It’s heaven and hell. For some, the splendid decadenceis a nightmare, for others a place they wished they could be.  It’s an endless party and everybody’s there: young, old and everyone in between, and with a bit of luck, you could be there too.

Cast

Concept & Direction: Gob Squad / Devised by: Johanna Freiburg, Sean Patten, Damian Rebgetz, Tatiana Saphir, Sharon Smith, Berit Stumpf, Sarah Thom, Bastian Trost und Simon Will / Performers June 2022: Johanna Freiburg, Sarah Thom, Sharon Smith, Sean Patten / Sound Design: Jeff McGrory, Torsten Schwarzbach / Video: Miles Chalcraft, Kathrin Krottenthaler / Costumes: Emma Cattell und Kerstin Honeit / Realisation Set Design: Lena Mody / Technical Coordinator & Lighting Design: Chris Umney, Max Wegner / Dramaturgy & Production Management: Christina Runge / Artistic Assistants: Mat Hand, Lena Mody / Interns: Sarah Sarina Rommedahl, Sophie Galibert / Management: Eva Hartmann / Touring Management: Mat Hand / Financial Management: Caroline Gentz / Press and Public Relations: Alexandra Lauck / UK Production: Ayla Suveren

Dates

Past
  • Sat 5.10.2013, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Sun 6.10.2013, 17:00 / HAU1
  • Mon 7.10.2013, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Sat 2.11.2013, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Sun 3.11.2013, 17:00 / HAU1
  • Mon 4.11.2013, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Thu 24.4.2014, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Fri 25.4.2014, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Sat 26.4.2014, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Sun 27.4.2014, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Sat 17.1.2015, 21:00 / HAU1
  • Sun 18.1.2015, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Mon 19.1.2015, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Fri 8.1.2016, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Sat 9.1.2016, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Sun 10.1.2016, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Sat 28.5.2016, 20:30 / HAU2
  • Sun 29.5.2016, 20:30 / HAU2
  • Thu 23.3.2017, 20:00 / HAU2
  • Fri 24.3.2017, 20:00 / HAU2
  • Sat 17.3.2018, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Sun 18.3.2018, 17:00 / HAU1
  • Mon 19.3.2018, 20:00 / HAU1
  • Fri 23.11.2018, 21:00 / HAU1
  • Sat 24.11.2018, 21:00 / HAU1
  • Cancelled
    Sat 4.4.2020, 19:00 / HAU1
  • Cancelled
    Sun 5.4.2020, 19:00 / HAU1
  • Repertoire
    Sat 4.6.2022, 21:00 / HAU1
  • Repertoire
    Sun 5.6.2022, 21:00 / HAU1

#Gob Squad 

Credits

Production and Development in collaboration with Center Theatre Group, Micheal Ritchie, Artistic Director (Los Angeles, CA). Co-production: HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Spielart Festival (Munich), brut (Vienna). Gob Squad Arts Collective receives funding under the Conceptual Funding Period 2020-2023 of the State of Berlin, Senate Department for Culture and Europe.

Location

  • HAU1
    Stresemannstr. 29, 10963 Berlin

    There are two marked parking spots in front of the building. Access to the Parkett by means of a separate entrance with lift when necessary. Barrier-free restroom facilities are available. Tickets for wheelchair users and accompanying persons can be booked via the ticketing system. If you need any help, please contact our Ticketing & Service team at +49 (0)30 259004-27 or send us an email at 
    tickets@hebbel-am-ufer.de.

  • HAU2
    Hallesches Ufer 34, 10963 Berlin

    There are two marked parking spots in front of the building. Barrier-free restroom facilities are available. Four relaxed seats are available in the first row of HAU2. Tickets for wheelchair users and accompanying persons can also be booked via the ticketing system. If you need help, please contact our Ticketing & Service team at +49 (0)30 259004-27 or send us an email to
    tickets@hebbel-am-ufer.de.

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