2021 Marked The 40^th Anniversary Of The Bonn Players–and 2022 the celebrations!

2021 was, to a large extent, a hiatus for theatre (professional and amateur) in Bonn, in Germany, and around the world. We at The Bonn Player’s did not let it get the better of us.

• Our youth theatre group was born in 2021, and performed smashingly for the first time at the Bonn Theaternacht at the Brotfabrik in September.
• The summer window in COVID restrictions briefly allowed us to hold “in-person” rehearsals again, which culminated in a teaser performance of The Diaries of Adam and Eve (also at Theaternacht).
• We rounded off 2021 with a full-blown version of Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit, adapted from the French by Paul Bowles, which we performed in The Brotfabrik to almost sold out audiences in November.

As we move through 2022, we are extending our 40^th anniversary celebrations in the best way possible. An “encore” performance, if you would.

• In May, we finally performed our Tony Layton double bill of Sharks in the Custard and Lucy in the Sky, after a hiatus of 2 years. We offer heart-felt thanks to our patient audience, who welcomed us back with enthusiasm.
• We will be carrying on doing all those things which has boosted our companionship throughout the pandemic — play readings, quiz evenings, workshops, social events AND NOW plays on stage. Preparations for our November production are well in-hand, so watch this space (or sign up for our newsletter) for more details.
• Finally, we celebrated, even if belatedly, the 40^th anniversary of The Bonn Players at our gala dinner (see below) at The Dreesen Hotel.

We are preparing a colourful book to commemorate the 86+ performances that The Players have put on since 1981. This will include a history of the group, anecdotes and testimonials on the creation and performing of each production. The book will be ready towards spring 2023 and will be made available for purchase.

Gala Anniversary Dinner
Saturday 27^th August 2022

Covid forced us to cancel our 40^th-anniversary celebrations last year, so we were thrilled to finally have our plans come to fruition at the Dreesen Hotel on Saturday, 27 August, where we were blessed with slightly cooler weather.
Around 80 people gathered to listen to welcoming remarks from the Chair, Tracy Tollmann, and Bonn’s Deputy Mayor, Frau Dr. Ursula Sautter, during a “Sektempfang” in the Chestnut Tree Garden.

Bonn Player members travelled from far and wide to attend this milestone event, such as Edinburgh, Vienna, Hamburg, Bucharest, and Berlin. It was a treat to have so many of the founding members attending and to see and hug people we have not seen for many years.

Katie Jordans and John Kluempers ably acted as the evening’s MCs, adroitly steering us through a well-prepared programme, kicking off with Sir Alistair Hunter providing an amusing account of how it all started 41 years ago, without which we would not be here now.

Other performances interspersed between the sumptuous 3-course meal included:
• Basil and Alison Eastwood:  An excerpt from Mixed Doubles
• Elspeth MacGregor: An anecdote
• John Stevens: A poem
• Adrian Thorpe: A Michael Flanders sketch
• Richard Tannenbaum: A Ukrainian folk song
• Jo Thorn: A monologue from Annie Wobbler
• Andrew Noble: A monologue from Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime
• Philipp Gierenstein: An adaptation from Troilus and Cressida by Afra Morris
• Richard Tannenbaum:  The sentry song from Lolanthe
A quiz based on the history of The Bonn Players over the past 40 years was a source of much debate and hilarity.

Peter Ferrow, who has contributed so much to The Players over the years, was, unfortunately, unable to attend due to medical reasons, and along with Sue, was very much missed.

All-in-all, it was a lovely evening, enjoyed by one and all and we look forward to the next celebration in 10 years!