Event

Around 200 years after Shakespeare, Heinrich von Kleist writes his version of "Romeo and Juliet". In medieval Swabia, the two houses of the Schroffenstein family, Rossitz and Warwand, have always been enemies. The reason for this is an inheritance contract which states that if one tribe dies out, its entire property will go to the other. An unexplained death shatters the already fragile balance and plans for revenge are hatched. Only Agnes and Ottokar counter the violence of their fathers with the utopia of their love. For a moment, it seems that their emotional certainty could reconcile the family...

"The Schroffenstein Family" is Heinrich von Kleist's debut, full of emotion, poetic language and as exciting as a thriller. Prejudice and resentment cloud the view of the truth - with tragic consequences. In a present in which political arsonists are verbally arming themselves, willingly resorting to the means of war and propagating an 'us first' mentality, the question of the origins of enmity and isolation is more urgent than ever. Is reconciliation possible?

Age recommendation 12+

Duration approx. 2 hours 15 minutes (including an intermission)