International cooperation of fringe ensemble, Bonn, and the Department of Music and Dance of the University of Cape Coast in co-production with the Center for National Culture Ghana and the Theater im Ballsaal in Bonn

With Charity Collin, David Fischer, Osei-Tutu Danso, a.k.a. K’Daanso
Directed by Frank Heuel
Set design, video, costumes Annika Ley
Camera Bismark Larbi Ofori
Assistance Lutz Ackermann
Press and public relations Claudia Grönemeyer
Project management Svenja Pauka

Performance dates
Fri 20 December 2024, 8 pm – Premiere
Sat 21 December 2024, 8 pm
Theater im Ballsaal

Tickets are available from BonnTicket
Ticket reservation: by telephone on 0228 797901 or by email to karten@theater-im-ballsaal.de

Stories told by locals on the Ghanaian coast are often about fishing, processing and selling fish. No wonder, as fish is the main source of food for large parts of the population and traditional fishing is the livelihood of around ten percent of the people who live here. For a long time, the Ghanaian coast was one of the richest fishing waters in Africa. However, the country now has to import protein-rich food from abroad – for its own population, who can hardly afford the high prices, if at all.

The lives of local Ghanaian fishermen have become precarious. In addition to overfishing by international companies, the consequences of environmental pollution and the climate crisis threaten their existence. Storm surges and rising sea levels are destroying their living and working space.

“Stories from the Ghanaian Coast” lets the indigenous fishermen and their families have their say. In the fishermen’s songs, which they sing during their work, especially when hauling in the nets, they talk about their current situation, their life on and from the sea.

Frank Heuel and Annika Ley first developed the play “Listen to the Fischers” in Cape Coast with an ensemble of Ghanaian actors, musicians and local fishermen. The collected stories, the fishermen’s songs and the videos shot by Annika Ley form the basis for the lecture performance in Bonn, as the theme goes beyond the fishing beach of Cape Coast. Frank Heuel is staging the evening with a German-Ghanaian ensemble.

Funded by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
and the City of Bonn