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Weekend Tips: What to Do This Weekend in Berlin
May 8 to 10, 2026: Events, festivals, exhibitions and more things to do for your perfect weekend in Berlin. more
Soft Pressure (Working Title) - Premiere
English version below
Im Rahmen von/As part of Never Work – International Performance Festival
Installation, Performance
Kantine
Englisch/English
Ca. 20 Min.
Wir betreten einen Massagesalon. Ritual, Duft und sanfte Gastfreundschaft versprechen Geborgenheit. Auf der Massageliege tragen uns vertraute Handgriffe, professionell und beruhigend…
Soft Pressure (Working Title) ist eine neue Arbeit des Theatermachers und Performers Abhishek Thapar über Arbeitsverhältnisse in der Wellness-Industrie. Basierend auf einer dreiwöchigen Recherchephase in Berliner Massagesalons und anhand von Interviews forscht Thapar nach der Infrastruktur unsichtbarer Arbeit. Geprägt von Migration und kolonialen Verhältnissen bestimmen diese Strukturen, wer dient und wer sich entspannt. Soft Pressure (Working Title) macht schließlich die Geschichten der Wellness-Arbeiter*innen in einer immersiven Installation erfahrbar und fragt, welchen Preis unsere Entspannung hat.
Thapar entwickelt recherchebasierte Performanceprojekte mit Menschen, die ihre alltäglichen Aktivitäten, ihren Beruf oder ihr Fachwissen einbringen.
Einige Zeitslots umfassen eine 1:1-Begegnung mit einem Performer und können körperliche Nähe oder Berührung beinhalten. Weitere Informationen unter oder +49 (0)30 278 900-35.
Künstlerische Leitung: Abhishek Thapar
Creative Producer: Job Rietvelt
Recherche: Marie Vassan
Dramaturgische Unterstützung: Maria Rößler
Design: Himashi Parmar
Eine Produktion von Abhishek Thapar in Koproduktion mit Sophiensæle und Theatre Groningen Development Trajectory (NL). Gefördert durch Culture Moves Europe[1SS1.1], ein Projekt der Europäischen Union, umgesetzt durch das Goethe Institut. Mit freundlicher Unterstützung durch die Botschaft des Königreichs der Niederlande[1SS2.1] und mit Unterstützung von Kunstloc Brabant, Culture Action Europe und CultureAndHealth – kofinanziert durch die Europäische Union. Never Work – Internationales Performance-Festival ist ein Festival der Sophiensæle, gefördert durch den Hauptstadtkulturfonds. Die Sophiensæle werden gefördert durch die Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt. Medienpartner: Berlin Art Link, Missy Magazine, Siegessäule, taz.
_______________
We enter a massage studio. Ritual, scent, and gentle hospitality promise a sense of well-being. On the massage table, familiar, professional and soothing touches carry us away…
Soft Pressure (Working Title) is a new work by the theater maker and performer Abhishek Thapar about working conditions in the wellness industry. Based on a research phase of three weeks in massage salons in Berlin and through interviews, Thapar investigates the infrastructure of invisible labor. Shaped by migration and colonial conditions these structures determine who serves and who relaxes. Soft Pressure (Working Title) ultimately brings the stories of wellness workers to life in an immersive installation and asks at what cost we achieve our relaxation.
Thapar develops research-based performance projects with people who take part with their daily life activities, profession or expertise.
Some time slots include a one-on-one encounter with a performer and may involve physical proximity or contact. For more information, contact or call +49 (0)30 278 900-35.
Artistic diretion: Abhishek Thapar
Creative producer: Job Rietvelt
Research: Marie Vassan
Dramaturgical support: Maria Rößler
Design: Himashi Parmar
A production by Abhishek Thapar in co-production with Sophiensæle and Theatre Groningen Development Trajectory (NL). Supported by Culture Moves Europe, a project of the European Union, implemented by the Goethe Institut. With the kind support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and with support by Kunstloc Brabant, Culture Action Europe and CultureAndHealth—co-funded by the European Union. Never Work—International Performance Festival is a festival by Sophiensæle, supported by the Capital Cultural Fund (HKF). Sophiensæle is supported by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion. Media partners: Berlin Art Link, Missy Magazine, Siegessäule, taz.
Im Rahmen von/As part of Never Work – International Performance Festival
Installation, Performance
Kantine
Englisch/English
Ca. 20 Min.
Wir betreten einen Massagesalon. Ritual, Duft und sanfte Gastfreundschaft versprechen Geborgenheit. Auf der Massageliege tragen uns vertraute Handgriffe, professionell und beruhigend…
Soft Pressure (Working Title) ist eine neue Arbeit des Theatermachers und Performers Abhishek Thapar über Arbeitsverhältnisse in der Wellness-Industrie. Basierend auf einer dreiwöchigen Recherchephase in Berliner Massagesalons und anhand von Interviews forscht Thapar nach der Infrastruktur unsichtbarer Arbeit. Geprägt von Migration und kolonialen Verhältnissen bestimmen diese Strukturen, wer dient und wer sich entspannt. Soft Pressure (Working Title) macht schließlich die Geschichten der Wellness-Arbeiter*innen in einer immersiven Installation erfahrbar und fragt, welchen Preis unsere Entspannung hat.
Thapar entwickelt recherchebasierte Performanceprojekte mit Menschen, die ihre alltäglichen Aktivitäten, ihren Beruf oder ihr Fachwissen einbringen.
Einige Zeitslots umfassen eine 1:1-Begegnung mit einem Performer und können körperliche Nähe oder Berührung beinhalten. Weitere Informationen unter oder +49 (0)30 278 900-35.
Künstlerische Leitung: Abhishek Thapar
Creative Producer: Job Rietvelt
Recherche: Marie Vassan
Dramaturgische Unterstützung: Maria Rößler
Design: Himashi Parmar
Eine Produktion von Abhishek Thapar in Koproduktion mit Sophiensæle und Theatre Groningen Development Trajectory (NL). Gefördert durch Culture Moves Europe[1SS1.1], ein Projekt der Europäischen Union, umgesetzt durch das Goethe Institut. Mit freundlicher Unterstützung durch die Botschaft des Königreichs der Niederlande[1SS2.1] und mit Unterstützung von Kunstloc Brabant, Culture Action Europe und CultureAndHealth – kofinanziert durch die Europäische Union. Never Work – Internationales Performance-Festival ist ein Festival der Sophiensæle, gefördert durch den Hauptstadtkulturfonds. Die Sophiensæle werden gefördert durch die Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt. Medienpartner: Berlin Art Link, Missy Magazine, Siegessäule, taz.
_______________
We enter a massage studio. Ritual, scent, and gentle hospitality promise a sense of well-being. On the massage table, familiar, professional and soothing touches carry us away…
Soft Pressure (Working Title) is a new work by the theater maker and performer Abhishek Thapar about working conditions in the wellness industry. Based on a research phase of three weeks in massage salons in Berlin and through interviews, Thapar investigates the infrastructure of invisible labor. Shaped by migration and colonial conditions these structures determine who serves and who relaxes. Soft Pressure (Working Title) ultimately brings the stories of wellness workers to life in an immersive installation and asks at what cost we achieve our relaxation.
Thapar develops research-based performance projects with people who take part with their daily life activities, profession or expertise.
Some time slots include a one-on-one encounter with a performer and may involve physical proximity or contact. For more information, contact or call +49 (0)30 278 900-35.
Artistic diretion: Abhishek Thapar
Creative producer: Job Rietvelt
Research: Marie Vassan
Dramaturgical support: Maria Rößler
Design: Himashi Parmar
A production by Abhishek Thapar in co-production with Sophiensæle and Theatre Groningen Development Trajectory (NL). Supported by Culture Moves Europe, a project of the European Union, implemented by the Goethe Institut. With the kind support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and with support by Kunstloc Brabant, Culture Action Europe and CultureAndHealth—co-funded by the European Union. Never Work—International Performance Festival is a festival by Sophiensæle, supported by the Capital Cultural Fund (HKF). Sophiensæle is supported by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion. Media partners: Berlin Art Link, Missy Magazine, Siegessäule, taz.
Date details
- Date Friday, 12/June/2026 16:00 (64 more dates)
- Venue Sophiensaele - Kantine
- Address Sophienstraße 18, 10178 Berlin-Mitte
Public transportation
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Train (S-Bahn)
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S Hackescher Markt
- S3
- S5
- S7
- S9
-
S Oranienburger Str.
- S1
- S2
- S25
- S26
-
S Hackescher Markt
-
Underground
-
Bus
-
U Weinmeisterstr./Gipsstr.
- N8
- N42
-
U Weinmeisterstr.
- N42
-
U Rosenthaler Platz
- N8
- 142
- N40
-
S Hackescher Markt
- N42
-
Spandauer Str./Marienkirche
- 100
- 200
- N2
- N5
- N8
- N40
- N60
- N65
- S7
- N42
-
Tucholskystr.
- 142
- N40
-
S+U Alexanderplatz Bhf/Memhardstr.
- U2
- N2
- 100
- 200
- N5
- N8
- N60
- N65
- N40
- N42
- S7
-
Memhardstr.
- 100
-
U Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz
- N2
- 142
- N40
- U2
-
U Weinmeisterstr./Gipsstr.
-
Tram
-
U Weinmeisterstr./Gipsstr.
- M1
-
Monbijouplatz
- M5
- M1
-
S Hackescher Markt
- M5
- M1
- M4
- M6
-
U Rosenthaler Platz
- M8
- M1
-
S Oranienburger Str.
- M5
- M1
-
Spandauer Str./Marienkirche
- M5
- M4
- M6
-
Berlin, Brunnenstr./Invalidenstr.
- 18
- M8
-
S+U Alexanderplatz Bhf/Memhardstr.
- M2
-
U Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz
- M8
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Georgenstr./Am Kupfergraben
- 12
- M1
-
U Weinmeisterstr./Gipsstr.
Part of:
Abhishek Thapar: Soft Pressure (Working Title)
© Promo
We enter a massage studio. Ritual, scent, and gentle hospitality promise a sense of well-being. On the massage table, familiar, professional and soothing touches carry us away…
Soft Pressure (Working Title) is a new work by the theater maker and performer Abhishek Thapar about working conditions in the wellness industry. Based on a research phase of three weeks in massage salons in Berlin and through interviews, Thapar investigates the infrastructure of invisible labor. Shaped by migration and colonial conditions these structures determine who serves and who relaxes. Soft Pressure (Working Title) ultimately brings the stories of wellness workers to life in an immersive installationand asks at what cost we achieve our relaxation.
Thapar develops research-based performance projects with people who take part with their daily life activities, profession or expertise.
Some time slots include a one-on-one encounter with a performer and may involve physical proximity or contact. For more information, contact or call +49 (0)30 278 900-35.
INFORMATION ON ACCESSIBILITY
Soft Pressure (Working Title) is a new work by the theater maker and performer Abhishek Thapar about working conditions in the wellness industry. Based on a research phase of three weeks in massage salons in Berlin and through interviews, Thapar investigates the infrastructure of invisible labor. Shaped by migration and colonial conditions these structures determine who serves and who relaxes. Soft Pressure (Working Title) ultimately brings the stories of wellness workers to life in an immersive installationand asks at what cost we achieve our relaxation.
Thapar develops research-based performance projects with people who take part with their daily life activities, profession or expertise.
Some time slots include a one-on-one encounter with a performer and may involve physical proximity or contact. For more information, contact or call +49 (0)30 278 900-35.
INFORMATION ON ACCESSIBILITY
Artistic diretion: Abhishek ThaparCreative producer: Job RietveltResearch: Marie VassanDramaturgical support: Maria RößlerDesign: Himashi Parmar
A production by Abhishek Thapar in co-production with Sophiensæle and Theatre Groningen Development Trajectory (NL). Supported by Culture Moves Europe, a project of the European Union, implemented by the Goethe Institut. With the kind support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and with support by Kunstloc Brabant, Culture Action Europe and CultureAndHealth—co-funded by the European Union. Never Work—International Performance Festival is a festival by Sophiensæle, supported by the Capital Cultural Fund (HKF). Sophiensæle is supported by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion. Media partners: Berlin Art Link, Missy Magazine, Siegessäule, taz.
A production by Abhishek Thapar in co-production with Sophiensæle and Theatre Groningen Development Trajectory (NL). Supported by Culture Moves Europe, a project of the European Union, implemented by the Goethe Institut. With the kind support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and with support by Kunstloc Brabant, Culture Action Europe and CultureAndHealth—co-funded by the European Union. Never Work—International Performance Festival is a festival by Sophiensæle, supported by the Capital Cultural Fund (HKF). Sophiensæle is supported by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion. Media partners: Berlin Art Link, Missy Magazine, Siegessäule, taz.
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