Big brain, warm guest 

Yes, I’ve got a bit a problem with Regietheater. And there’s a lot of it here in Berlin: director’s theatre, where the director can cut and paste away at the original text to create something very different from what the author originally intended. I call it ‘big brain’ theatre and often wish for something closer to the original. I got thinking about all this because one of the leading proponents of Regietheater – both here in Germany and internationally is Thomas Ostermeier – Artistic Director of Berlin’s Schaubühne Theater – and my latest guest on talking Germany. 

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Making a journey and creating culture

“She’s very wise.” And was she good at school? “Top of her class!” There’s great pride there. And what was her best subject? “French – she was always dreaming of going to Paris.” I’m talking to Shermin Langhoff about her mother. Shermin is what you might call a cultural curator. The inspiration behind Ballhaus Naunynstrasse – possibly the hottest theater in Berlin. She’s also my latest guest on Talking Germany. And one of the secrets of her success is, I have a hunch, her mum. 

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