Theater im Nu LE LAMPENFIEBER 2026 : ARE WE A THING?

Transnational Queer*Feminist Theatre Festival – from 29 September to 4 October
2026, Ballhaus Ost, Berlin

● Multilingual theatre festival featuring full-length and short performances, workshops,
post-performance discussions, a reading stage and a DJ set.
● Theme: Are we a thing?
● Opens on 29 September with “Marianne’s Grand Debut” (Paul Marianne Furtwängler) at
Ballhaus Ost, Berlin.

In the face of pinkwashing, political co-optation, repressive measures and internal conflicts thatweaken queer-feminist struggles, the curators of Le Lampenfieber are asking: How can we (re)build the solidarities of tomorrow? Under the the motto “Are we a thing?”, the theatre festival invites the audience to explore intimate and collective stories of encounters of all kinds.
The productions tell stories that have shaped our friendships, our families – whether chosen or not – and our communities.

The festival begins on 29 September with “Marianne’s Big Debut” by and starring Paul Marianne Furtwängler, an emerging artist on the international queer scene. Furtwängler initially trained with the Young Ensemble at the Munich Residenztheater and subsequently at the Bern University of the Arts, and explores the complexity of queer identities through Marianne, an autofictional trans character who is on the verge of her debut as a glamour icon. Director Barbara Miller (#Female Pleasure) is working with Furtwängler for her next documentary film #United Pleasure, which is due to be released in cinemas in 2027 – a topical issue against the backdrop of the growing visibility of queer identities, but also against a backdrop of increasing violence against trans people. Five further works round off the programme, each of which, in its own way, examines what unites, divides or objectifies: “BEST COMPILATION EVER”, a performance by Livi Scheucher featuring the actress Thea Ehre (Silver Bear for Best Supporting Actress in a supporting role in *Bis ans Ende der Nacht*, Berlinale 2023), turns the turns the capitalist logic that turns the kiss and sensuality into consumer goods; ‘Rapport sur ma vie antérieure de femme noire’ (Massandje Sanogo – aka Oxybabe), a performance DJ set designed to break free from racist stereotypes and create a stage for oneself; ‘Buster, my love’ (Cie Troisbatailles), whimsical and incisive forays exploring desire, love and violence; ‘Le Grand Soir’ (88 mètres/seconde), a sort of show about queer friendships, fathers, China and Russia; “Embrasser le chaos” (Particules Fines), a subversion of sexist and psychophobic narratives. Most of these pieces are being presented as German or Berlin premieres. Le Lampenfieber hosts
both the stage and the party: short performances by Mohamad Moe Sabbah and Nova Despov (formerly Marilyn Nova White) round off the programme, as does a DJ set by zey, an open stage and karaoke.

Le Lampenfieber is organised by the Berlin-based association Theater im Nu and brings together brings together emerging artists from French- and German-speaking countries. The festival sees itself as a space for experimentation and dialogue between languages,art forms and an audience of all ages. Most of the performances aresurcharacters (in French, English or German) and are complemented by discussions with the audience.