About

Gob Squad: War and Peace

“Hold this book. Heavy isn’t it? Actually that’s only half of it. It’s one of the longest in the world. It has 1256 pages (depending on the edition and language you are reading in), originally written in four volumes, there’s more than 500 characters. Have you actually read it? I’m only halfway through.”

Not so far from the shifting borders of conflict and violence, in a place ravaged by peace, Gob Squad attempt to hold a salon, a gathering similar to those held in High Society Russia at the beginning of the 19th century. Their starting point is to contemplate War and Peace, a book written over almost a century and a half ago which has become part of history.

Guests are introduced according to rank and status, some are invited to drink fine champagne and contemplate their relation to conflict, freedom and privilege. Entertainment and distraction is provided in the form of Dance, Song and Fashion shows. As the performers put on the roles of historic leaders and czars they begin to compete for the audience’s empathy and identification. Egos duel as the performers draw on the ordinariness of their own day to day perspectives of power. Playful and improvised, War and Peace is a reflection of Tolstoy’s desire to dissect the conditions of history and ask if it is possible to live a moral life in an ethically imperfect world? Or in our times, how can we live inside capitalism, comfortable in the knowledge of the absolute damage and suffering that our daily, ordinary “peaceful” lifestyles promise?

Age 12+

Concept: Gob Squad

Devised and performed by:

Niels Bormann, Katja Bürkle, Johanna Freiburg, Sean Patten, Damian Rebgetz, Tatiana Saphir, Sharon Smith, Berit Stumpf, Sarah Thom, Laura Tonke, Bastian Trost and Simon Will

Sound Design: Jeff McGrory

Video Design: Miles Chalcraft, (Anna Zett)

Set Design: Romy Kießling

Costume Design: Ingken Benesch

Lighting Design: Andreas Rehfeld

Dramaturgy: Johanna Höhmann, Christina Runge

Production Management: Christina Runge

Technical Management: Chris Umney, Max Wegner

Artistic Assistant: Mat Hand, Lena Mody

Assistants from Münchner Kammerspiele: Thorben Meißner, Aleksandra Pavlovic, Yana Thönnes.

Interns: 

Katharina Joy Book, Lisa Käppler, Nora Strömer, Aleksandra Jakubczak, Tom Healey, Teresa Heiß, Hannah Wolf

Gob Squad Management: Eva Hartmann

Gob Squad Management UK: Ayla Suveren

Tour Management: Mat Hand

World Premiere: 23rd March 2016, Münchner Kammerspiele

Gob Squad is regularly funded (2015 - 2018) by the State Berlin, Senatskanzlei - Kulturelle Angelegenheiten.  

War and Peace is a production by Gob Squad and Münchner Kammerspiele. In coproduction with Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg- Platz Berlin, Schauspiel Leipzig, Konfrontacje Teatralne Festival Lublin, Lancaster Arts at Lancaster University, Malthouse Theatre and Melbourne Festival, Gessnerallee Zürich, Nottingham Playhouse and Teatro Stabile di Torino – National Theatre.

The UK Tour is supported using public funding by Arts Council of England.

General Information

Guests with Mobility Impairments

Guests who use a wheelchair or experience mobility impairments are asked to call the box office on 01273 678822 or email info@attenboroughcentre.com so that we can assist you to find the best seat to suit your requirements.

Pay What You Decide

There are up to 20 Pay What You Decide (PWYD) tickets available to guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Come and see the show without paying anything in advance, and then pay what you think is appropriate at the end of the show. Maximum of four PWYD tickets per person. Please phone the box office on 01273 678822 or email info@attenboroughcentre.com for further information.

Concessions

The Concessions rate is available for students, University of Sussex students, Over 60s, and people in receipt of JSA or DLA/PIP. Proof of eligibility may be required on the door or at the box office (if collecting).

Personal assistance tickets are available for free for customers who would otherwise be unable to attend the venue. Please contact the box office on 01273 678822 or email info@attenboroughcentre.com for further information.

Box Office Opening Times

The box office (phone line and drop-in service) is open from 10am to 4pm, Mondays to Fridays. The box office is also open one hour before the advertised show start time.