Gintersdorfer / Klaßen

THE AMBASSADOR – A German-African musical comedy

The German-Ivorian artistic group (made up of director Monika Gintersdorfer and visual artist Knut Klaßen) is using its latest production to trace the biography of a former German ambassador in Africa. At the heart of the discourse on post-colonial potential and critical scrutiny of the past, are the real encounters with ambassadors, living in places like the Ivory Coast on diplomatic service. The ambassadors have developed very different strategies to avoid particular situations in different African countries. Alongside the anarchic acquisition of their biography, Gintersdorfer/Klaßen develop a viable concept that might the give the German-African relationship a new boost. A team of musicians and performers from the Ivory Coast and Germany transforms the stories of power and powerlessness, distance and involvement of diplomats in a speculative play: The ambassadors, who must always fight for understanding and interest in their ‘motherland’ take on sensual roles. Characteristically bold, the performers dissect the ambassadors’ status, switch perspectives and blur the lines between reality and fiction.