The Sunstone by the Sea

Once upon a time, long ago... or perhaps even today? Two islands lie in the sea. Large people live on the big island – they build, work, trade, grow. Their ships are strong, their markets full, their houses decorated with blue shells, which serve as currency. Small people live on the small island – without rulers, without wealth, but with time, community, and the ability to listen to one another. Even though they live differently, the two island peoples tolerate each other. But the peace is fragile.
When the queen of the large island decides to expand her empire, a creeping raid begins: first, her people take earth and stones from the small island, then the people themselves. The big island flourishes – at the expense of the small one. And while the queen sinks into her gold rush, the ground and the sea begin to shake ...
Our production focuses on seemingly simple opposites: big and small, poor and rich, work and play. But it quickly becomes clear that this is not just about two islands, but about fundamental questions of our social coexistence – questions that are as relevant today as they were then. How much is enough? Who owns the earth? What is wealth? How do we connect – and what remains when everything comes to an end?
With choirs, instrumental music, and scenes in motion, we juxtapose these voices: those of the queen and the blind, the great and the small, the self-centered and the community-oriented. And we ask: “What could have been done differently? And how do we actually want to live?”

The trailer with the German flags shows the uncut stage version (approx. 47 minutes), while the abridged version (approx. 29 minutes) has the French flags.

Contributors
Singing: Charlotte Girls' Choir, Girls' Choir II, and Girls' Choir III
of the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin.

Composition Sabine Wüsthoff
Texts Anke Schüler
Narrator Eva Spaeth
Concept Anke Schüler,
Eva Spaeth,
Sabine Wüsthoff
Mallets, Percussion David Soyza
Trumpet Clemens Stahmer-Ilgner
Cello Bo Wiget
Rehearsal Kelley Sundin-Donig,
Friederike Stahmer
Overall direction Johanna Walch