Recitation, storytelling and live theatre based on the power and humour of the
spoken word are the most fundamental of art forms, alive today in stand-up comedy,
cabaret and on stage.
Already at the 1st and the 2nd International Festival of Verbal Art many artists from many countries
spoke about the most bizarre topics in varied ways. The international character of the contributions
and the language barriers did not pose a hindrance to understanding. The video text translation often
would not have been necessary for the comic sparks to jump from artist to audience: the artists knew
very well how to communicate through the power of acting.
Furthermore, the shows in foreign languages enriched in a special way the festival’s programme
because each translation also throws new light on one’s own language and because each cultural
difference along with each common feature broadens one’s outlook.
The international approach therefore offers to all festival participants not only the opportunity to perceive the diverse artistic approaches from different cultures, it also points out the common ground in the time of globalization. Political, social and interpersonal conformities become alike; information, technology, markets and migration movements react to this out of their own history, their own cultural particularity, and possibly with amazingly similar approaches.
Apart from the international character of the programme another attraction of the festival lies in the different spaces of the Tempodrom. The visitor can move freely between the several stages and experience in one evening and with one ticket acts in the foyer as well as readings, cabaret and music on the four stages. After having had good experiences with the programme’s open structure at the first festival the same format will be kept in the next year; here is a brief overview of the events:
In the main arena (2,800 seats) short, crisp acts of well-known artists followed each other swiftly, while in the small arena (400 seats) appeared mainly foreign language artists (if necessary with simultaneous translation); this enabled them to quickly engage their audience in this compact setting. In the studio (80 seats) where readings and also dramatic acts were to be seen and heard, one could also follow the performances in a concentrated atmosphere.
The counterpoint to this was in the foyer where a diverse open stage programme awaited the visitors on arriving and in the intervals. The foyer stage was open for new stars on the Maulhelden | Verbal Heroes sky for spontaneous appearances, while street theatre groups and market criers used the hustle and bustle in the foyer or the speaker’s corner to put themselves into the limelight.
At the next festival the audience will again have the opportunity to experience the complete range of the programme in all its variety with one ticket.
Furthermore interested theatre goers will have the opportunity to meet personally some of the participating artists in afternoon workshops and to gain a little insight into their art.