Rockers Reunite for Daring Drama

The man dubbed China's  godfather of rock is set to take to the capital stage with his German counterpart for a highly unusual collaboration.

Cui Jian is to join German rocker Udo Lindenberg in performances of the German's ambitious rock musical, Atlantic Affairs.

Udo Lindenberg's music has influenced generations of Germans since the 1970s when he emerged as a rock 'n' roll rebel. Lindenberg proved himself to be an all-round artist and his drama depicts Germany from the 1920s through the horrors of World War II and on to a vividly imagined 2020.

Cui Jian, China's best-known rock star, has already been to Germany to rehearse with Udo. After a very successful small-scale performance in Germany in 2003, they planned to transport the drama to China.

It focuses on the plight of many German artists during and after World War II. Because of the Nazi menace, a great number of German musicians, artists and writers had to migrate to the United States on the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean. Among them were luminaries like Thomas Mann, Kurt Tucholsky, Bertold Brecht, Billy Wilder and Fritz Lang.

After years in New York, some of them succeeded while others struggled to keep their families together. Influenced by America after World War II, the great works of these artists were largely neglected in Germany. Lindenberg made up his mind to help Germans get to know these forgotten works through the medium of an innovative rock musical.

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Venue: Beizhan Theatre

Time: March 4 and 5

Admission: 880, 580, 380, 280, 120, 80 yuan