Thomas Hermanns, a celebrated comedian, frequently expresses feelings of not identifying strongly with being German.
In the heart of Berlin, the Pfefferberg Theater is set to host the long-awaited premiere of Thomas Hermanns' musical revue, Berlin Non Stop, on July 16. This self-initiated production promises to be a captivating exploration of Berlin's vibrant nightlife, a topic that Hermanns, a renowned German comedian and filmmaker, has long been associated with.
Hermanns, who has previously collaborated with composer Thomas Zaufke on the musical Kein Pardon in 2011, is no stranger to blending comedy, music, and cabaret-style performances. Berlin Non Stop is an ode to the people who work in nightlife or go out in Berlin, a city that experienced a shift in attitude towards tourists in the early 2010s.
The musical, set in Berlin in 2010, follows the journey of three young tourists searching for fun, sex, culture, and love. It features a diverse cast of characters hailing from Birmingham, Barcelona, and Bad Bevensen, with workshops having been conducted in London and New York.
Berlin Non Stop serves as a humorous mirror of Berlin’s eclectic nightlife, mixing sharp comedy and music that resonated with both locals and tourists. The production contributed to a trend of mixing traditional comedic elements with musical theatre formats, influencing subsequent performances in Berlin.
By dramatizing the city's club and cabaret scenes, Berlin Non Stop helped to cement Berlin’s image internationally as a vibrant, ever-evolving nightlife destination. It showcased Berlin’s unique nightlife culture in the early 2010s through a comedic lens, contributing to the city's reputation as a hub for innovative performing arts and nightlife.
Thomas Hermanns, who is 61, still goes out, but requires precise planning and recovery time. His connection with New York extends beyond Berlin Non Stop, as he has composed music for a show performed in Brooklyn.
Hermanns founded the Quatsch Comedy Club in Hamburg in 1992, which has become one of the most important comedy hubs in Germany. He studied in Munich and premiered Bussi - Das Munical there in 2015. In recognition of his contributions to German comedy, Hermanns received the German Comedy Award for lifetime achievement at the age of 58.
Tickets for Berlin Non Stop are available from €31.50, with 15 more performances scheduled between July 17 and Aug 3. The production promises to be a celebration of Berlin's nightlife culture, offering a unique insight into the city's entertainment scene during the Klaus Wowereit era, considered by Hermanns as the most stylish and exciting time for Berlin.
For those seeking a deeper understanding of Berlin Non Stop's historical impact, consulting German cultural archives, interviews with Thomas Hermanns, or contemporary reviews of the show from 2010 might provide valuable insights. Furthermore, the upcoming Howard Carpendale musical Hello! Again?, which is set to premiere in Leipzig at the end of the year, promises to be another exciting addition to Hermanns' impressive repertoire.
The upcoming production of Berlin Non Stop at Pfefferberg Theater, a musical revolving around Berlin's nightlife, is expected to be a humorous exploration of the city's entertainment scene, blending sharp comedy and music. Thomas Hermanns, the renowned German comedian and filmmaker behind the work, has previously collaborated on musicals that incorporate comedy, music, and cabaret-style performances.
