9. DiS#: Jakob von Gunten – Eine MusikTanzTheater-Produktion

In the organizer's words:

"Jakob von Gunten" is the latest production by the inclusive POUR ENSEMBLE, in which professional artists with and without disabilities from the various performing arts disciplines work together as equals. The ensemble is currently receiving three-year conceptual funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for this unique NRW-wide project. "Jakob von Gunten" is being created in cooperation with the future Pina Bausch Center, Wuppertal.

The source of inspiration and textual basis is the diary novel "Jakob von Gunten" (1909) by Robert Walser. It tells the story of young Jakob, the son of a good family, from the perspective of his training as a servant at the ominous boys' school Institut Benjamenta. Obedience and patience are at the top of the curriculum. The sole aim of the institution is to mold and subjugate the boys until they become what they are meant to be: "a lovely spherical zero". Jacob sees this as an opportunity to renounce meritocracy, "to be and remain small" - but on the other hand, he has the ambition to become the best servant and is also an adventurer, a dancer and gambler who seeks freedom in humiliation. What sets him apart is the ease with which he lives this contradiction. No doubts, no heaviness weigh him down - he goes through life in a good mood and cheerfully. Even the hopelessness of his infatuation with the unfortunately unattainable teacher does nothing to change this... Dream and reality merge in his notes, which are infused with irony and melancholy comedy.

More info here