ECOSYSTEM
At the 2022 UN Climate Conference, D. R. Congo as one of the three largest rainforest nations on Earth agreed to a climate partnership. While the global population is realizing the need to combat deforestation in the Congo Basin because it sequesters significant amounts of CO2, the local population once again finds itself caught in the crossfire of geopolitical interests. GROUP50:50 travels to the northeastern Congo and collaborates with rainforest residents to create a multimedia music theater piece about a complex ecosystem that is gradually coming apart at the seams.
However, the situation on the ground is complicated: to preserve the overwhelming biodiversity, environmental activists are battling mining companies and timber exporters who extract gold and wood with the support of corrupt politicians. International conservation experts simultaneously find themselves in bloody conflicts with local farmers who traditionally clear the forest for agriculture. And there are also the nomadic Mbuti people. They know the forest better than anyone else because they depend on it for their livelihoods. Although they are considered the "first inhabitants of the forest," no one has recognized their right to the forest. They can only watch as their habitat diminishes.
Together with local farmers and the Mbuti community in Bagoia, with whom they collaborated on their previous piece "The Ghosts Are Returning", the performers and musicians of GROUP50:50 discuss and sing about what we have inherited from our ancestors and what we will leave to future generations. In dialogue with the region's traditional music, they create a transnational ceremony, a ritual attempt to explore the significance of the forest for the fate of the world's population.
A production by GROUP50:50, in co-production with Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig, Kaserne Basel, and Centre d’Art Waza Lubumbashi, in collaboration with Caritas Wamba, the communities of Bagoia and Asandabo.
With financial support from: Fachausschuss Tanz & Theater Basel-Stadt / Basel-Landschaft, Pro Helvetia, Schweizer Kulturstiftung, Südkulturfonds, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Corymbo Stiftung, Schweizerische Interpretenstiftung, GEA Waldviertler
TOUR DATES
Artistic Direction
Eva-Maria Bertschy,
Joseph Kasau
Kojack Kossakamvwe
Elia Rediger
Musical Direction and Composition
Kojack Kossakamvwe
Elia Rediger
Texts
Eva-Maria Bertschy
Jean-Baptiste Ekaka
Patrick Mudekereza
Joseph Kasau
Elia Rediger
Video
Joseph Kasau
Moritz von Dungern
Performance (on stage)
Jean-Baptiste Ekaka,
Stany Kalanda,
Kojack Kossakamvwe,
Elia Rediger
Huguette Tolinga
Performance (in the videos)
Ruth Kemna, Gérard Agbokabolo Amboko, Jean Kamana, Papa Delolai, Christophe Anzalite Amboko, Dauphin Kakuaguwe Wendokono, Maman Antoinette, Constant Delite, Sengele Charles, Michel Basekombonane, Jean-Maria Nangondese, Rose Ongane, Jean-Paul Ingbitina, Collethe Bombini, Jules Amboko, Jacques Modo, Mambunga Basekombonane, Awilikilango, Adeline Baboanane, Julberthe Bibedu, Paulin Banyandey, Françoise Iday, Clementine Nengapeta, Micheline Iday, Jean-Pierre Bambabeya, Philiphe Bozi Marie, Nangaa Charline, Michel Thomo, Marie Akemande, Therese Monikomange, Bambanaye Abuty, Ndandambajaye, Jean-Pierre Monzabete, Anyabukiyuo, Jean-Pierre Bambakoanza, Adwakanakeya, Anthoinethe Abinya Kalite, Agbokabulo Mavambu, Jean-Marie Akemane, Raymond Kakeane, Clementhine Natho, Adwakanakeya Jedeo
With contribution by
Ruth Kemna and Patrick Mudekereza
Costums
Cédrick Nzolo, Souleymane Diallo und Janine Werthmann
Technical Direction and Light Design
Sylvain Faye
Set Design
Sylvain Faye, Elia Rediger
Sound Design
Philipp Ruoff, Elia Rediger
Production
Camille Jamet, HERProductions and Isaac Yenga
Research
Jean de Dieu Aybeka
Actors coaching
Emmanuel-Egide Elbas Manuana Ndosi
Assistant Director
Anna Melissa Zentgraf
Internship
Fy Notahiana Harinofy Ramaroson
Press and Social Media
Johannes Fellmann, Leonie Soltys, Fellow Publishing
Special Thanks
Alex Hasslieb, Chasper Sarott, Prof. Alphonse Maindo, Olivier Maloba Banza
