Die Kunst
des Deals

A musical comedy full of hidden layers

The theatre group Wunderbaum had actually intended to stage the 1987 book The Art of the Deal at the Schauspielhaus Bochum – part business guide, part autobiography of a New York real estate mogul named Donald Trump. After all, some say it is the second-best book in the world (after the Bible). But then disputes arise over the licensing, the deal falls through and the actors ensemble suddenly finds itself left high and dry. With a book that is as politically topical as it is artistically abysmal, a reality outside the door that is accelerating at an ever-increasing pace and is becoming almost impossible to keep up with artistically, and a shambles of ideas. In search of inspiration, they attend a city-famous musical – and suddenly there is a megalomaniacal plan ...

The Dutch-Flemish collective Wunderbaum, known for delightfully subverting all expectations (Die Hundekot-Attacke, invited to the 2024 Berliner Theatertreffen), subjects The Art of the Deal to a critical re-reading and, together with the ensemble, develops a subtle, musical satire about profiteering, commitment and the thrill of the big performance.