Three siblings: Sophie, Gregor, and Hans. Gregor left the village of his childhood; as the eldest, he inherited his parents' house, where Hans now lives. He asks Gregor to leave it to his sister Sophie so that she can build a life for herself. At first, Gregor does not agree, until a character named Nova appears and points out to him that he should be  “unintentional,” soft and strong – "let yourself in and despise victory." Compared to their childhood, the village and the landscape have changed dramatically. Concrete is the new building material, huge halls stand in the plowed landscape, the former carpenters now work exclusively with large industrial machines, and the entrepreneurs have only one goal: money. But Nova points out to the siblings a different perspective, a behavior whose standards are established beyond their own interests, thus opening up the utopia of eternal peace.

The premiere party will take place on March 14 following the play.

On March 26, March 27, April 16, and April 17, we cordially invite you to a post-performance discussion after the show.

Get your tickets here

“The intense escapism from reality in Handke’s dialogue seems alien today and may well have been politically questionable some 40 years ago; yet perhaps, in his critique of civilisation, he was simply ahead of his time. In any case, the almost 92-year-old director Roberto Ciulli, together with his team and the four-member ensemble, has transformed the heavily abridged text into an intense, hour-and-a-half-long theatrical meditation that invites the audience to linger.” 

Detlev Baur, Die Deutsche Bühne

“Melancholy. Last rites. Fading beauty. The Western world – in Roberto Ciulli’s hands – bids farewell. What remains for it but the utopian remnant.”

Andreas Wilink, nachtkritik

“The evening is indeed something of a requiem. It is performed very slowly, without great emphasis, yet conceptually incredibly clear and precise.”

Stefan Keim, WDR 3

“Roberto Ciulli delivers (with Handke) an uplifting piece, suggesting that our fast-paced world would benefit from more mindfulness and slowness. It is worth reflecting on this. Or even reading the Nova speech again. A big round of applause for the entire ensemble.”

Andrea Müller, WAZ 

“It is a decelerated evening, gentle as chamber music and full of subtle allusions.”​

Klaus Stübler, Ruhr Nachrichten