Criminal court on trial on stage

Activities at the International Criminal Court, which has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for crimes against humanity, were recently  transferred onto the stage as a dance drama piece at the Goethe-Institut theatre in Accra.  

In an informative and educative piece, several issues relating to the court’s establishment, composition, operation, people who have appeared before it as well as those indicted were relayed to the audience, who appeared glued to their seats.

Directed by German choreographer, Monika Gintersdorfer, and visual artist, Knut Klaßen, the piece titled “International Criminal Court”, did not take a position but ensured the free flow of diverse opinions, comments, critiques and even judgments out of the stage.

Gintersdorfer, who has expressed a restrained resistance to empty pomp and superficial entertainment in this piece, employed the use of commando style and other movements by a multi-racial cast, as scenes from the court were virtually “paraded” before the audience in a theatrical, poetic technique. 

Alongside virtuoso monologues and dialogues that contained a sparkling mixture of humour and intelligence, the piece, although intended as an investigation into the activities of the International Criminal Court, eventually reached out as a politico-legal piece that exposed the hidden richness of works by Gintersdorder.

The work poses several questions: How come it is nearly only African leaders always on trial? Is the court an appropriate forum? Will it lead to justice for all? Will it help curb the incidence of genocide or war crimes?

Theater Bremen, Kulturstiftung des Bundes and Goethe-Institut in Ghana sponsored the performance.