In 1973, the book Momo by Michael Ende, one of the most famous German contemporary writers, was published and was well-received by many people. One year later, Momo won the German Youth Literature Award.

 

 

This book has been translated into 40 different languages, and more than seven million copies have been sold. Momo reflects over time in a poetic way: We spend too little time for ourselves and for our lives, and the increasingly busy daily life has taken too much from human nature and values.

 

In German, “Leben” refers to both living beings and daily life. According to Michael Ende’s description in the book Momo, “Time is life, and life is in the heart”. This sentence can also be translated as: “Time is daily life, and daily life is in the heart”.

 

 

A girl appears in the city. Nobody knows her age, family background, where she comes and where she goes. She lives alone in an abandoned amphitheater. You unconsciously intend to find her and pour out to her. Silent music resounds from the bright starry sky. Problems and disputes fade away.

 

Momo keeps silent and listens.

 

A group of men appear in the city. When they arrive, the air around them is freezing. After they leave, you forget their existence. In the flickering cigar light, they observe you.

 

In a widespread and unclear world, everybody is blind and busy.

 

A girl named Momo and a group of time thieves under the leadership of Men in Gray provoke a battle of time among second, minute and hour.

 

To be, or to live in the context of “Leben”? Who defines?

 

 

Vertebra Theatre is an independent art institution founded by LI Qianpeng, a teacher at the Department of Performance, Shanghai Theatre Academy. Headquartered in Shanghai, Vertebra Theatre is dedicated to designing, production and presentation of contemporary theatre projects under international cooperation.

 

So far, Vertebra Theatre has presented the following works: The Open Couple, Poison, Lungs, Fight Me Now, The Flood, Bartleby the Scrivener, The Little Pony, and Papa’s Bed. These works have won many awards, such as “The Best Small Theatre Repertoire Award" in the Chinese Theatre Awards and “The Best Small Theatre Drama Award in the Chinese-speaking Area” in One Drama Awards.