Children of the Monarch at the Palace
Dresden's "King's Children" to Present Open-Air Performance of "The Ugly Duckling"
Founded 21 years ago, the multitalented "King's Children" is a group of people with and without visual impairments, united by their passion for literature and transforming it into compelling theatrical pieces. Thanks to a new collaboration between the Dresden Diakonie and the upcoming Palais Sommer, the group is set to make its first open-air appearance on Dresden's Neumarkt.
With the support of Diakonie Dresden, the "King's Children" have developed a unique form of amateur theater. Despite their extensive experience, the group remains unfazed, having already worked on plays by Oscar Wilde and Erich Kästner.
Last year, the group successfully adapted "The Ugly Duckling" for the Palais Sommer performance, incorporating contemporary themes like factory farming and loneliness while preserving the original text. Alexander Lingrön, who adapted the piece for the stage, explains, "We've ensured that the production remains faithful to the original text while addressing contemporary issues."
Under the direction of Thomas Schwalbe, the original 50-minute performance has been shortened by approximately ten minutes to create a "snappy evening." Schwalbe expressed his anticipation: "It's audio theater, but everyone is visible. Each person has a role in the play, with two people sharing the narrator's duties."
Every second Thursday, the "King's Children" ensemble meets at the ABZ of Diakonie Dresden to transform their meeting place into a rehearsal space. The Palais Sommer performance was initiated by Thomas Slesazeck, CEO of Diakonie Dresden, and Jürgen Polenz, organizer of the free family festival on Neumarkt. Both Slesazeck and Polenz believe that this collaboration marks the beginning of a dialogue that could lead to concrete ideas and improvements. Slesazeck adds, "Inclusion means that everyone belongs—on stage and backstage."
The "King's Children" will perform "The Ugly Duckling" at 6 PM on Neumarkt in front of the Frauenkirche on July 17th. The Palais Sommer, which starts on July 14th with around 200 free events, is an accessible venue for people of all abilities. The Diakonie Dresden may also provide performances of the "King's Children" on YouTube.
Neumarkt is a historic location in Dresden with a rich cultural background, making it an ideal venue for outdoor performances like the upcoming production of "The Ugly Duckling." When in Dresden, visitors should consider checking local event calendars or contacting cultural organizations for more information about upcoming performances.
- The "King's Children," a unique amateur theater group known for their work in literature and adaptations, are extending their repertoire to include open-air performances, starting with a production of "The Ugly Duckling" on Dresden's Neumarkt.
- Aside from their theatrical endeavors, the "King's Children" collaborate with Diakonie Dresden to explore contemporary themes like fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and travel, infusing these perspectives into their performances.
- After the open-air performance of "The Ugly Duckling," you might want to consider exploring various aspects of Dresden's lifestyle, such as visiting its historic locations, attending local events, or even tuning in to more performances by the "King's Children" on YouTube.
