The Belgian troupe BERLIN has brought a unique production, "The Making of Berlin," to Shanghai, sparking discussions about the boundaries of reality and the concept of authenticity.

"The Making of Berlin" incorporates both theater and visual images in the production. It centers on the story of Friedrich Mohr, who served as the stage manager for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra during World War II. He approached BERLIN to help realize his unfulfilled dream.

At the end of WWII, the conductor of the Philharmonic decided to perform Siegfried's Funeral March from Wagner's Götterdämmerung one final time. The performance was set to be broadcast live on German state radio. Due to bombings, the conductor divided the orchestra into seven segments, having them rehearse in separate bunkers.

As the story unfolds, audiences gradually discover that Mohr's narrative is rife with inaccuracies, and he appears to be attempting to restore what is irreparable. This prompts a poignant question: To what extent can one distort the truth to achieve atonement?

"The Making of Berlin" begins with a nearly 40-minute documentary, and its overall narrative heavily relies on visual imagery. On the stage is a horn player and two technicians who present "evidence" for the audience.

"Our productions are always positioned on the cusp of documentary and theater," said Yves Degryse, founder and artistic director of BERLIN.

"The horn player and technicians on stage do not simply interpret the film's content; they are integral to the narrative," he added.

According to Degryse, a pivotal moment occurs in the story when the team begins to doubt about Mohr and the entire project. At this point, the stage narrative adds new layers. As the audience engages more deeply with the story, they begin to feel like participants, which shifts the dynamic between the spectator and performer.

"If you like the overlap between fiction and nonfiction, or if you want to see the background of a creation process, then this is the very first and only time we show documentary material and the backstage of a performance," said Degryse.

Performance info

Dates: November 21-22, 2pm/7:30pm

Tickets: 180-480 yuan

Venue: Theater YOUNG

Address: 1155 Kongjiang Rd 控江路1155号