Schaubühne's 'The Marriage of Maria Braun' Set for Shanghai Debut

Following its run of "The Wild Duck," the opening production of this year's Wuzhen Theater Festival, Berlin's Schaubühne has arrived in Shanghai this week.

"The Marriage of Maria Braun," directed by Schaubühne artistic director Thomas Ostermeier, will make its Shanghai debut at Theater YOUNG on Thursday evening.

This marks the German company's third consecutive year participating in the China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Ostermeier emphasizes the connection between classics and modernity. "The Marriage of Maria Braun" examines the social status and identity of German women.

"The reason I brought this work to China is that I think the topic of women is also very much worth discussing here," Ostermeier said.

"What I have learned from video materials and what I have experienced firsthand after several visits to China: Chinese women show a high degree of participation in and willingness to engage with social issues – even most of those who come to the theater are women. I hope you will tell me your thoughts after seeing this play."

"The Marriage of Maria Braun" is based on Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 1979 film of the same name.

Set in Germany after the end of World War II, the film tells how Maria seeks to survive amid the turmoil and changes of the era. Her personal fate is closely intertwined with the reconstruction of postwar West Germany, reflecting the complex social relations and characteristics of the era behind the economic boom.

Ostermeier stages and moves actors to match the film's montage, editing, and time and space shifts. Ursina Lardi plays Maria, and four male actors play over 20 characters.

Performance info

Dates: October 22-23, 7:30pm; October 24, 2pm

Tickets: 180-680 yuan

Venue: Theater YOUNG

Address: 1155 Kongjiang Rd 控江路1155号