more than three months have passed since the last newsletter appeared an this page. Amazing, what has happened since ! So let's look back a little.

Some things are well told in numbers, although they should not become too important. Anyway: Around 2000 spectators saw the DEREVO performances of "LA DIVINA COMMEDIA" and the premiere of "Islands in the stream", the work commissioned by Dresdner Musikfestspiele in April / May in Dresden. Because everything was sold out quickly, we added three shows - and everything within four weeks. So we hope, that the big house of Staatsschauspiel, the main theatre in Dresden with around 800 seats will see a lot of public for "ONCE…" on 30. October.

And another number we are at least as happy about: Around 1000 people followed the presentation of DEREVO in "Theater am Ufer" in Berlin in June - a truly sensational success with all the competition in the only "world town" in Germany, as many experts assured us. So we have left traces in Berlin and are determined to return to this magic city before this year is over.

To prepare this return and coming activities there now is a DEREVO office at Kottbusser Damm 96 in 10963 Berlin, Tel. +49 (30) 695 65 466. From there we also will coordinate our activities for the "Russian-German culture days". This programme, initiated by the "buddies" Gerhard Schröder and Vladimir Putin will strengthen the cultural contacts between the two countries and we are happy to acknowledge that not only the "light towers" of high culture are part of this, but also innovative groups from all art fields should be included. You will find more information here in autumn.

For the moment a return has to be celebrated - finally. From 1. - 26. August the biggest theatre festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe, will see 23 performances of "LA DIVINA COMMEDIA" - a "tour de force" for everybody involved, especially because we will perform in a tent for around 500 people. If you plan to join the fun of this probably craziest arts month in the world next to around 300.000 others look our for the "Assembly Big Top" to find us.

And if you don't make it to Edinburgh the are a lot of other chances to celebrate "LA DIVINA COMMEDIA" with us from 3. - 29. September at the "Riverside Studios" in Hammersmith in London.

So a summer full of work is coming - still we hope for a lot of sun for us and all of you.

All best wishes,

Chester Mueller (Organizer)