جنية Djinnīya (6-13)
The Being of Wishes |
Gold! Power! Bratwurst! What happens when a Djinnīya – a female genie – breaks out from the arabian desert and stops abiding by the rules? What is it that I need in life? What are my deepest wishes, and what can and shall stay a mere wish? Piece by piece, the stage is filled by stories, songs and wishes. The audience sits among this growing installation and becomes part of a young musician’s journey to himself – constantly accompanied by a headstrong Djinnīya who inspires him and the audience to listen deeply into themselves – to their own realm of wishes and dreams.
Already in the research phase, the artists sought the proximity of their target audience, talking with them about their wishes and desires. The recordings resulting from those encounters eventually found their way into the performance. Almost casually, the topics of self-worth, migrational biography, and gender roles are being discussed. They find their place among the stories and experiences about wishing, without laying too great a focus on the actual, real-life issues. To achieve this, the team followed an autobiographical approach in developing the piece. Speaking German, Viennese and Arabic, Minouche Petrusch (Germany) and René Sami Salim (Austria & Saudi-Arabia/Yemen) tell stories with music and shadow play, and take the audience on a magic, multi-sensorial ride. After the show the audience is encouraged to add their own
wishes to the stage. Eventually, a big, ever-growing wish-installation is being created – with a surprising deal of similarities.
In German and partly Arabic spoken language (also possible in English/Arabic or other combinations)
Concept, acting: Minouche Petrusch
Music, acting: René Sami Salim
Set & costume design: Marie Akoury
Set construction: Tilo Käbel, Katja Kentenich
Sounddesign, light: Edgardo Gómez
Production management: Hannes Raphael
Photos: Till Budde
Video: Markus Roche, Jens Staeder
Special thanks to: Nora Amin, Michaela Millar, Katharina Dimitrov-Mohammad, Nadim Akoury, Belinda Masur, Mario Teuber, Karoline Heyde, Victor Gismondi, Oma Leni, Yaser Mohammad, Tina Schulle, Silke Saalfrank, Vera Strobel, Dagmar Domroes, Volker Siegel, Gutshof Einklang, all wishers.
A production of Minouche - Theatre for Humans
In cooperation with Theater o.N. and class 6a of Heinrich-Seidel elementary school
Supported by Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media in the NEUSTART KULTUR programm.
Winner of the IKARUS 2024 Youth Jury Award for the best children's theatre production
Ikarus-Jury:
Djinnīya' impresses with its successful approach to dealing with a natural multilingualism, as well as the questioning of expectations and ultimately the freeing thereof, towards a self-empowered approach and expression.
Djinnīya' invites the audience into a world that reflects reality while staying magical, full of questions and wishes. The story of a young musician, his journey towards himself, and a Djinnīya that doesn’t want to fulfill just any wish any more, inspires to reflect on one’s own wishes and desires. The unique staging creates an intimate atmosphere while actively involving the audience and taking it on a quest to self-reflection. The acting and the concept by Minouche Petrusch together with the acting and music by René Sami Salim, with set and costume design by Marie Akoury, as well as the whole concept
[sic], create a world, both entertaining and inspiring, that the audience can dive into. A theater experience that can ultimately stimulate children and adults in equal measure.
[Translate to English:] © Theater o.N.
