We are excited to share that Returning to Reims (Rückkehr nach Reims) has been invited to the Berliner Theatertreffen 2018, the prestigious festival showcasing the year’s best German-language theatre.
From its world premiere here as part of Manchester International Festival 2017, Thomas Ostermeier’s Returning to Reims has made a lasting impact on both audiences and critics as an intelligent and urgent reflection on the new world order, with a magnetic and mesmerising performance from Nina Hoss.
And this remarkable show continues to impress as it travels across the world – in addition to being presented at Theatertreffen in May, Returning to Reims had its American premiere at St Ann’s Warehouse in New York this month, running until Sun 25 Feb.
Commissioned by the Schaubühne and Manchester International Festival, and produced by the Schaubühne, Manchester International Festival, HOME, Manchester and Théâtre de la Ville, Returning to Reims is just one of ten selected plays considered by the jury to be the most noteworthy productions of the year.
“Thanks to Manchester International Festival I was able to produce ‘Returning to Reims’. John McGrath’s invitation gave me the opportunity to adapt this important political book for the stage at what seemed like exactly the right moment in time. The aesthetics and the way we developed the project are quite different from my previous work, it was an experiment for which I had to leave my comfort zone. Thus I`m more than happy that it gets recognized as an important production of the last season by the Theatertreffen Berlin. I want to thank my entire team, Nina Wetzel (set and costume design), Nils Ostendorf (music), Sébastien Dupouey (film), Florian Borchmeyer and Maja Zade (dramaturgy) as well as all the performers on stage – Nina Hoss, Bush Moukarzel, Hans-Jochen Wagner, Ali Gadema, and Renato Schuch – without their trust I would not have been able to do this show.”
Thomas Ostermeier, Director of Returning to Reims and Schaubühne
“The premiere of Returning to Reims was one of the highlights of Manchester International Festival 2017. This bold production spoke to some of the most troubling issues of our times in a resonant and unexpected way. We are delighted by this honour – a first for MIF, and a tribute to the great artistry of Thomas Ostermeier, Nina Hoss, and the entire creative team.”
John McGrath, CEO and Artistic Director of Manchester International Festival
“We’re absolutely delighted to have received the wonderful news about the invitation of Returning to Reims to the most renowned theatre festival in the German-speaking world, the Berliner Theatertreffen. We’re thrilled for Thomas Ostermeier and Nina Hoss from the Schaubühne, that this very political and highly relevant production has received this much-deserved recognition.”
Walter Meierjohann, Artistic Director: Theatre, HOME