Wax Traders

Description

With WAX UNITED, Eva-Maria Bertschy, together with her co-author Edwige Dro (Côte d’Ivoire), embarks on a quest that begins in the archives of the Basel Mission and follows the trade routes to Ghana. The transnational ensemble tells the story of two traders from West Africa who assert themselves in global markets and skillfully navigate colonial structures. They meet two traveling merchants from Basel and together create an astonishing fashion phenomenon, "African Wax Prints." Guitarist Kojack Kossakamvwe, along with three singers and percussionist Jonathan Tshimbombo, creates a musical epic that takes the audience on a journey across continents and centuries. The connections between political and socio-economic developments intertwine with questions of "authentic" style, fashion, and pop culture, resulting in a captivating and surprising evening. The Group50:50 was last seen with "Ecosystem" in Aarau, and Eva-Maria Bertschy, together with Kojack Kossakamvwe, opened the 2025/26 season at the Alte Reithalle with "Fremde Seelen." Languages: English, French, German, Twi, Baoulé & Lingala. With surtitles.
Recommended age: from 14 years
Duration: 2 hrs 10 mins. Featuring: Araba Dansowaa Agyare, Jahelle Bonee, Martina Momo Kunz, Kojack Kossakamvwe & Jonathan Tshimbombo
Director: Eva-Maria Bertschy
Musical direction & composition: Kojack Kossakamvwe
Text: Eva-Maria Bertschy & Edwige Dro
Stage: Percy Nii Nortey
Costumes: Austin Nortey
Dramaturgy & translation: Luca Maier
Lighting design & stage assistance: Sylvain Faye
Video & photos: Henry Nelson Dezousa & Kofi Amankwah
In the videos: Albertine Elanga & Lois Gyebuah Nyamekye Addo
Assistant director: Olga Gubina
Production management: Camille Florence Jamet
Tour management: Luca Maier
Stage & costume production: Workshops of the Vorarlberg State Theatre
Co-production: Vorarlberg State Theatre Bregenz & Kaserne Basel

Highlights

• Captivating story about colonial trade routes
• Musical epic with Kojack Kossakamvwe and ensemble
• Multilingual performance with surtitles

General Information

The event "Wax Traders" takes place at Bühne Aarau and tells the story of two traders from West Africa. The transnational ensemble combines music and theater to illuminate the connections between fashion, pop culture, and colonial structures.

Location

Apfelhausenweg 20, 5000 Aarau, Switzerland

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