Hamburg Theater Festival 2025: Sartre & Pollesch Kick Off
- HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — The 17th annual Hamburg theater Festival is set to run from May 2 to June 26, featuring a selection of outstanding productions...
- Organizers have secured the participation of renowned artists, including Caroline Peters, Ulrich Matthes, and Martin Wuttke.
- The festival will open with a production of Jean-Paul Sartre's "Dirty Hands" by the Zurich Playhouse.
Hamburg Theater Festival too Showcase German-Language Productions
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — The 17th annual Hamburg theater Festival is set to run from May 2 to June 26, featuring a selection of outstanding productions from across the German-speaking world. Performances will be held at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus, Thalia Theater, Kampnagel, and St. Pauli Theater.
Organizers have secured the participation of renowned artists, including Caroline Peters, Ulrich Matthes, and Martin Wuttke. In a statement, festival organizers emphasized the event’s focus: “Theater focuses, theater comments, theater brings life on stage.” The festival aims to present thought-provoking works that “put your finger in the wound,” prompting audiences to consider ethical and moral questions.
Sartre’s “Dirty Hands” to Open Festival
The festival will open with a production of Jean-Paul Sartre‘s “Dirty Hands” by the Zurich Playhouse. This rendition of the French philosopher’s drama, translated by Hinrich Schmidt-Henkel, will be staged at the Thalia Theater on may 2 and 3. The Thalia Theater will also host ”das Dinner,” a production by the Deutsches Theater Berlin based on Hermann Koch’s novel “The Dinner,” featuring Ulrich Matthes.
The Deutsches Schauspielhaus will present three productions: René Pollesch’s ”I do not know what a place is, I only know its price,” also from the Zurich Playhouse, starring Martin Wuttke, Kathrin Angerer, and Marie Rosa Tietjen; Bertolt Brecht’s ”Threepenny Opera” by the Berlin Ensemble; and Marius von Mayenburg’s “No Matter,” a Burgtheater Vienna production featuring caroline Peters and Michael Wächter.
Additional performances at St. Pauli Theater and Kampnagel
The St.Pauli Theater will host Dieter Nuhr in conversation with Giovanni di Lorenzo, as well as Paulus Hochgatterer’s “Böhm” with puppetry by Nikolaus Habjan from Schauspielhaus Graz. Thomas Bernhard’s “Lumberjacks,” performed by Nicholas Ofczarek and Musicbanda Franui, will be staged at Kampnagel.
the Hamburg Theater festival is organized by the Hamburg Theater Festival association. Peter Tschentscher, the mayor of Hamburg, is serving as the patron of the event.
# Hamburg Theater Festival: A Extensive Guide
This Q&A-style blog post dives into the Hamburg Theater Festival, providing detailed information in an accessible format.
## What is the Hamburg Theater Festival?
The Hamburg Theater Festival is an annual event showcasing german-language theater productions. The 17th edition is scheduled to run from May 2 to June 26. It features a curated selection of outstanding performances from the German-speaking world.
## Where will the performances be held?
Performances will take place at prominent venues in Hamburg, including:
* Deutsches Schauspielhaus
* Thalia Theater
* Kampnagel
* st. Pauli Theater
## What kind of artistic focus does the festival have?
The festival aims to present thought-provoking works that “put your finger in the wound,” encouraging audiences to consider ethical and moral questions. Organizers emphasize that “Theater focuses, theater comments, theater brings life on stage.”
## Who are some of the renowned artists participating in the festival?
The festival features a lineup of renowned artists, including:
* caroline Peters
* Ulrich Matthes
* Martin Wuttke
## What is the opening production of the festival?
The festival will open with a production of Jean-Paul Sartre’s ”Dirty Hands,” presented by the Zurich Playhouse. This rendition of the French philosopher’s drama, translated by Hinrich Schmidt-Henkel, will be staged at the Thalia Theater on May 2 and 3.
## What other productions will be shown at the thalia Theater?
The Thalia Theater will also host “das Dinner,” a production by the Deutsches Theater berlin based on Hermann Koch’s novel “The Dinner,” featuring Ulrich Matthes.
## What productions can be seen at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus?
The Deutsches Schauspielhaus will present three productions:
1. René Pollesch’s “I do not no what a place is, I only know its price,” also from the Zurich Playhouse, starring Martin Wuttke, Kathrin Angerer, and Marie Rosa Tietjen.
2. Bertolt Brecht’s “threepenny Opera” by the Berlin Ensemble.
3. Marius von Mayenburg’s “No Matter,” a Burgtheater Vienna production featuring Caroline Peters and Michael Wächter.
## What else is on offer at the st.Pauli Theater and Kampnagel?
The St. Pauli Theater will host:
* Dieter Nuhr in conversation with Giovanni di Lorenzo.
* Paulus Hochgatterer’s “Böhm” with puppetry by nikolaus Habjan from Schauspielhaus Graz.
Thomas Bernhard’s “Lumberjacks,” performed by Nicholas Ofczarek and Musicbanda Franui, will be staged at Kampnagel.
## How is the Hamburg Theater Festival organized?
The Hamburg Theater festival is organized by the Hamburg Theater Festival association.
## Who is the patron of the Hamburg Theater Festival?
Peter Tschentscher, the mayor of Hamburg, serves as the patron of the event.
## summary of Productions and Venues
Here’s a table summarizing the key productions and their venues:
| Theater | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thalia Theater | “Dirty Hands” | Opening production, Zurich Playhouse |
| Thalia Theater | “das Dinner” | Deutsches Theater Berlin |
| Deutsches Schauspielhaus | “I do not know what a place is, I only know its price” | Zurich Playhouse |
| Deutsches Schauspielhaus | “Threepenny Opera” | Berlin Ensemble |
| Deutsches Schauspielhaus | “No matter” | Burgtheater Vienna |
| St. pauli Theater | Dieter Nuhr in conversation with Giovanni di Lorenzo | – |
| St. Pauli Theater | “Böhm” | Schauspielhaus Graz |
| Kampnagel | “Lumberjacks” | Nicholas Ofczarek and Musicbanda Franui |