Olivia Hyunsin Kim/ddanddarakim: Mr. Yellow – Sophiensæle | Independent Theater in Berlin

Olivia Hyunsin Kim/ddanddarakim: Mr. Yellow

Four people pose closely together in front of a textured wall. One person with bold makeup and a purple wig stands behind, while the other three look forward wearing colorful, patterned garments.
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Opera, drag, K-pop and personal stories intertwine in Mr. Yellow to create a multi-layered queer cabaret performance exploring the images, fantasies and projections that continue to shape Asian-perceived masculinity to this day. 

The dance performance examines colonial, racist and gendered stereotypes, asking how the figure of “yellow” masculinity has been historically constructed – and what new, empowering narratives are possible today. With humor and critical insight, colonial images of desexualized, feminized Asian men intersect with contemporary pop-cultural references such as K-pop and the global “manosphere.”

The international team – including drag artist Vivienne Lovecraft and trans tenor Holden Madagame (USA) – works in a queer-feminist, postcolonial, and interdisciplinary way between cabaret, concert and performative research.

Why does Asian-perceived masculinity remain often invisible or distorted in European imagery, narratives and stages? Which historical fantasies – such as the fear figure of the “Yellow Peril” – persist? And what happens when pop cultures like K-pop make new forms of masculinity visible?

Evening information

The information on accessibility is still in progress and will be updated as soon as possible. If any questions remain unanswered until then, please feel free to contact the communication department at barrierefreiheit@sophiensaele.com or 030 27 89 00 35. Please note that details may change by the day of the event. Therefore, if you find out after you have purchased your ticket that the performance is no longer accessible to you, you can contact us for a ticket return at ticketing@sophiensaele.com or 030 27 89 00 45 until 5 business days after the event (Monday through Friday between 10am and 6pm).

Duration

  • approx. 70 minutes without break

Language

  • German and English spoken language with German and English surtitles
  • Song lyrics in Italian spoken language
  • German Sign Language (DGS)

Audio description

  • Parts of the performance take place with integrated German audio description.
  • The performance on May 28 will feature German audio description.
  • The preceding stage tour takes place at 6 pm. The meeting point for the tactile tours is in front of the box office in the courtyard.
  • If required, we offer a pick-up service for blind and visually impaired people from the nearby S-Bahn and streetcar stations before the tactile tours. These are S-Bahn Hackescher Markt, U-Bahn Weinmeisterstraße or the streetcar station Weinmeisterstraße/Gipsstraße. To make use of the pick-up service, please contact us during our business hours (Monday to Friday between 10 am and 6 pm) on 030 27 89 00 35 or barrierefreiheit@sophiensaele.com.
  • You can find more information about audio descriptions and the pick-up service at the Sophiensaele here.

Lighting

  • The lighting in the auditorium is bright enough at all times to help you find your way around. The audience area is softly lit throughout.
  • There are both brighter and darker moments, as well as gradual changes in lighting.
  • There are moments with slightly flickering light

Sound

  • The performers usually speak through a microphone.
  • There is live singing as well as recorded music
  • There are no sudden noises or music cues.

Other

  • Stage fog is used
  • There are video projections featuring live footage as well as documentary and historical film material.

Audience

  • Seated grandstand (some spacing between chairs)
  • 2 beanbag seats bookable subject to availability
  • 2 wheelchair spaces bookable subject to availability

Relaxed Performance

  • All performances take place as Relaxed Performances.
  • There is a retreat space in the foyer. Beanbags, blankets, headphones and stimming toys are provided there.

Early boarding

  • Early boarding is available. A public address announcement will notify attendees.

Tickets

  • Reservations can be made via the ticket telephone at 030 283 52 66, Monday to Friday from 4pm-6pm
  • Via the online ticket shop
  • At the box office

You can also find more information about accessibility at the house here.

Artistic direction, choreography, direction, performance: Olivia Hyunsin Kim
Co direction, video: Jones Seitz
Costume design: Kristin Gerwien, Luca Maria Plaumann
Set design: Leo G. Alonso
Music, composition: Klaus Janek
Light design: Leo G. Alonso, Lou Oelrich
Artistic collaboration: Giulia Fornasier
Dramaturgy: Marielle Schavan
Performance, creative assistance: Vivienne Lovecraft, Holden Madagame
Performance, access consultant: Hyemi Jolee
DGS interpretation: Aniella Tiedje, Mille Jepsen
Audio description: Swantje Henke, Birgit Martini
Surtitles: Amparo Hidalgo, Giulia Fornasier, Luca Maria Plaumann
Production management: Christo Schleiff
Technical direction: Lou Oelrich
Photo documentation: Mayra Wallraff
Video documentation: Noam Gorbat
Interview partners: Martin Hyun, Hieu Duc Hoang, Ji-Hun Park, Dieu Hao Do
Press: Sarah Rosenau

Thanks to: Katharina Bernstädt, Lana Labia

A production by Olivia Hyunsin Kim/ddanddarakim in co-production with Sophiensæle. Funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion and the Fonds Darstellende Künste with support from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. Media partners: Missy Magazine, Siegessäule, taz.

Olivia Hyunsin Kim/ddanddarakim work collectively on choreographic works with a queer-feminist and postcolonial focus. Through fiction, they renegotiate power relations and offer empowering alternatives to the present. Their works have been shown at Sophiensæle, Art Sonje Center, Staatsoper Hannover, Museo Universitario del Chopo, among others. The permanent team consists of Kristin Gerwien, Olivia Hyunsin Kim and Jones Seitz.

  • Wide theatre stage with orange paper lanterns. Two people stand centrally on a raised platform; one is gesturing. They are flanked by two large video projections, each showing three people in elaborate floral costumes and headdresses. The left projection displays the text "Hana: 1970 asks about Yellow Fever".
    © Mayra Wallraff
  • Three vase-shaped stage sculptures with a textured surface stand on a plinth, bathed in blue light. Each sculpture is topped with a small green plant. In the background, a LED screen showing a floral pattern is visible on the right, a costume rack on the left.
    © Mayra Wallraff
  • Two people on a stage filled with blue theatrical haze. The person on the left wears a dark red coat and glasses. The person on the right wears a black top with yellow lettering "YE", silver trousers and green boots, and holds up one finger. In the background, a blue paper lantern and an LED screen showing a historical painting of marching soldiers.
    © Mayra Wallraff
  • A person stands in the foreground of a dark stage with arms spread wide. They wear a black top with the yellow letters "YE", a glittery mini skirt, and have purple glitter on their face. In the background, a projection displays a historical caricature illustration.
    © Mayra Wallraff
  • Wide theatre stage bathed in blue light with numerous pink paper lanterns. Two people stand on a raised platform right of centre. Two LED screens are visible behind them: one showing umbrellas, the other an eye motif. The left screen displays the text "He divided humans into four subspecies." Blue umbrellas are visible in the left foreground.
    © Mayra Wallraff
  • Dark theatre stage with red and orange paper lanterns. On the left, a person in a dark red dress. In the centre, a projection screen showing three people in expressive make-up and colourful costumes. On the right, three people sit on a raised platform next to an illuminated mirror.
    © Mayra Wallraff
  • A person stands centre stage on a dark stage, singing. They wear white shorts, a checked top with yellow lettering, white knee socks and neon green sneakers. A backpack lies at their feet. In the background, a video projection reads "Backpack on,", a costume rack and red umbrellas are visible.
    © Mayra Wallraff