About Werther. Based on a novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Sebastian Kaiser, a German theater director and dramaturg, is known for his bold and direct stage style. This time, he collaborates with the Nanjing University Yesoo Company to present a work. This piece aims to offer a contemporary interpretation of Goethe's classic, featuring dialogues between prominent figures from the fields of philosophy and literature and the characters in the play. In this version, previously silent characters in Goethe's original, such as Charlotte, finally have a voice. Love is complex in any era, and it is even more so for those who pursue independence and freedom

in a capitalized age. When love is unattainable, does one self-destruct or drag everyone down? Does one go mad or become an artist?

Credits：

Adapted from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Director: Sebastian Kaiser

Cast: Cai Yibo, Cao Luyao, Lin Jiyuan, Ren Xuanhan, Shao Lingzhe, Sun Runing, Shen Wenjing, Wang Guanlin, Yang Ruoxuan, Yang Siyi, Zhang Chenyue, Zheng Weizhi, Zhu Zhenyi, Sebastian Kaiser

Stage and Costume Designer: Chen Yanxi, Shen Wenjing

Video Designer: Lin Jiyuan

Audio Designer: Li Yuzhou

Text by: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Qiu Jin, Rosa Luxemburg, Roland Barthes, Chen Keyin, Chen Xiangying, Li Yuzhou, Pan Yuxin, Sun Runing, Shen Wenjing, Yang Siyi, Yang Sixi, Yang Ruoxuan,Zha Anni, Zhang Chenyue, Zheng Weizhi

Assistant Director: Shen Wenjing

Producer: Zhu Yue

Assistant Producers: Zheng Weizhi, Zhou Mingyan, Li Ruoxi

Assistant Stage Manager/Subtitle Execution: Zha Anni

About Sebastian Kaiser

Sebastian Kaiser, born in East Berlin, studied Culture and Theatre in Berlin, Leipzig, and Moscow. From 2008–2017, he was dramaturg at the Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, he also curated large-scale political and artistic events. In 2007, he directed a documentary about the inhabitants of Balaklava, Crimea, nominated for the Golden Key Best Film award at Dokfest Kassel. In 2018, he collaborated with Meng Jinghui on a production of Teahouse, which premiered in Wuzhen, China. Since then, he has permanently collaborated with Chinese artists and directors and founded the Artistic Intelligence Network. From 2020 until now, he has been Guest Professor at the Central Academy of Drama and at Nanjing University.

About Nanjing University Yesoo Company

The Nanjing Yesoo Company was founded in September 2007. It is a theater art troupe under the guidance of the Department of Drama, Film and Television Arts, School of Liberal Arts, Nanjing University. It combines teaching with literature and theatre practice, and its main members are the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) students of the department.

In 2013, The Nanjing Yesoo Company went beyond the campus and registered in Qixia District, Nanjing, becoming a local and social troupe, committed to contributing to contemporary society with more professional theatre works. 

In addition to performing domestic and foreign dramatic masterpieces, the troupe has launched the original works I am a moon, The face of Chiang Kai-shek, Faust III, Pollution & Purification, Telemachus, The Story of Enemy of the People, A Deal, You Never Touched the Dirty, The Missing Mickey, Hometown, International Restaurant, Bon Appétit, Mister on-existence in Utopian, SanHe, and so on.