AQUA@CYCLES

“… a harmonious whole, both aesthetically and in terms of content …” (Kölner Stadtanzeiger)

“… an intellectually stimulating experience.” (Koelnische Rundschau)

“On the multifunctional stage, the ensemble creates primal places of longing that stretch back to the embryonic stage in the womb – only to be embraced once more by the surging, warm, gentle waves that carry the audience into new presents and beyond. (…) The advantages of the collective also become apparent here: just how powerfully a choir can swell is simply unmistakable in ‘Aqua@Cycles’. Even during the performance, it awakens the desire to purchase the soundtrack immediately.” (Stadtmagazin CHOICES Köln)

With AQUA@CYCLES, the VolXbühne explores the element of water and its analogies to our lives: When we think of WATER, the associations are vast – from the most personal of all experiences with amniotic fluid as an embryo in the womb, to the sea as a place of longing and the scene of grave disasters, or the experience of overflowing rivers as a threat to life, right through to political issues of climate change, water scarcity and the resulting waves of migration. The theme of water is closely linked to ‘cycles’: older people in particular are aware of (interrupted) cycles in their lives and bodies and have come into contact with the element of water in a wide variety of ways – during births, holidays or threatening situations. Water – the giver of life – is, however, in times of climate change and multinational corporations, also becoming an acute threat, a cause of migration and an expensive consumer good.

In addition to 10 members of the public and 4 professional performers/musicians, the project features the actress Maria Neumann, a long-standing member of the ensemble at the Theater an der Ruhr.

Cast: Bruno Kirchhof, Claudia Burghardt, Daniela Godde, Frieder Kornfeld, Friedhelm Friebe, Horst Sommerfeld, Karin Oeser, Ingrid Henkes, Maria Neumann, Martin Gerhards, Mohammad Saado Kharouf, Sabina Krauze

Live music & composition: Igor Kirillov (piano, harpsichord & effects), Peter Eisold (percussion & electronics)

Direction & Adaptation: Jörg Fürst

Set Design: Jan Patrick Brandt

Costumes: Monika Odenthal

Video Screening (Stage & Social Media Video Blog): Susann Martin

Vocal Coaching: Sabina Krauze

Technical Director: Dirk Lohmann

Production & PR: Britta Stalleicken

Layout: molter&sartor, Düsseldorf

PR Cologne: neurohr&andrä

Transport: Schlax

The production, the WEEKEND Happening and the VolXbühne are supported by the NRW Diversity Fund, the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science, the NRW Cultural Secretariat and MEG – Mülheim Waste Management Company.

Date: 17/18/19 September 2026, 7.30 pm

Venue: VolXbühne – Ensemble der Generationen at the Theater an der Ruhr, Adolfstr. 89a, 45 468 Mülheim an der Ruhr (indoors in case of bad weather)

TICKETS: 0208 43 96 29 11 or karten@volxbuehne.de, €15.00 / €10.00

www.volxbuehne.de