Theatre about shrimp fishing in the North Sea
Brown shrimp fishing has been practised for centuries from the sluice ports in Wremen, Dorum-Neufeld and Spieka-Neufeld. However, strict regulations, rising costs and the increasing silting up of the ports are making it increasingly unprofitable to operate the cutters.
In spring 2026, a cutter will sail to the three sluice ports on the Wurster North Sea coast, serving as a floating stage. At high tide, a theatrical performance about shrimp fishing will be staged, featuring professionals and local participants. The audience will sit on the quay and gains an intimate insight into the work on board the cutters.
The travelling theatre project »Nasses Land« is now carrying out its second major landscape project in the district of Cuxhaven. Further participatory cultural projects will take place in the region up until 2030.
The projects are being developed in cooperation with the district of Cuxhaven, with support from the Bundesprogramm Aller-Land.
Credits
Company: Richard Gonlag, Hannah Ostermeier, Jarno Soukup and local actors
Concept & Direction Jens-Erwin Siemssen
Musical direction: Jan Hendrik Ehlers
Costume design: Miriam Ebbing
Production: Julia Kawka
Premiere: Kutterhafen Spieka-Neufeld • 23rd April 2026 • 17:45 pm
further performances in Spieka-Neufeld (24./25.04.26), Dorum (01.-03.05.26) and Wremen (05.-07.05.26).
Press reviews
The actors Hannah Ostermeier, Richard Gonlag and Jarno Soukup do more than simply bring the fishermen to life. They imbue the dialogue with such authenticity that one feels as though one is witnessing the fishermen themselves on stage. But their greatest achievement perhaps lies in a task that became particularly evident during the weeks of rehearsals. Through their approachability, Ostermeier, Gonlag and Soukup have succeeded in integrating a group of 20 young amateur actors from different parts of the world into the play.