Aged 11, Malala Yousafzai started writing a blog for the BBC. She described how life had changed in the Swat Valley, Pakistan since the rise of the Taliban. Banned from dancing, playing music and even from going to school, Malala realised that the pen can be mightier than the sword, writing under the pseudonym Gul Makai and exposing her predicament to the world. But when rumours of Gul Makai's identity got out, an attempt was made on 15-year-old Malala's life. After a miraculous recovery, Malala became a figurehead for freedom, education rights and peaceful resistance, and she continues to campaign for the right of all children to have an education. On her 16th birthday, Malala Yousafzai spoke to the UN Youth Assembly, and the following year, she became youngest ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Das Gebet (The Prayer) |
Eine Furchtbare Zeit (A Frightening Time) |
Password for both scenes: Mingora
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Based on the play Malala by Gökşen Güntel, Sabine Salzmann and Thomas Sutter, which was premiered in April 2017 at the Atze Musiktheater Berlin, Nick Westbrock and Danyal Dhondy created a musial for three actors and a choir, a tense dramaturgy weaving together episodes from Malala's early Life. Premiered in Bielefeld in 2019, the production partnered with the initiative Angekommen in Your City Bielefeld and various schools, integrating a group of young people - mostly with a migration background - into the project.
"Dhondy's music plays with different styles, from musical and new musical theatre traditions; his songs stay true to the drama on stage, creating a vivid emotional connection with the audience". |
Book/Lyrics: Nick Westbrock
Music: Danyal Dhondy Malala: Susi Studentkowski Ziauddin / Khushal: Alexander von Hugo Tor Pekai / Moniba: Judith Patzelt MD / Piano: André Hammerschmied Drums: Arndt Hesse Director: Nick Westbrock Design: Ann-Sophie Paa Choreography: Alina Meinold Dramaturgy: Jón Philipp von Linden Produced by Theater Bielefeld video from general rehearsal, 4/6/19 |
