The Federal Cabinet recently approved a catalogue of no fewer than 111 measures to combat loneliness. Loneliness, it states, increases the risk of obesity, depression, heart attacks, and Alzheimer's disease, and is a complex problem affecting society as a whole, one that incurs high costs and can become a threat to democracy. There are 14 million lonely people in Germany alone, and as a result of the pandemic, the number of those who describe themselves as at least occasionally lonely has risen to over 40 percent. Everyone knows what it feels like to be lonely.

Comedy of Loneliness

Werkstattbühne

They represent the Bonn Republic, stand by while their men engage in politics, stand on the terraces of their Bad Godesberg villas and gaze at the Rhine river landscape, where the Nibelungen treasure is hidden somewhere. Gold and crowns, dented by rolling pebbles, like carnival medals, next to a Nazi emblem, quickly thrown into the water as the American tanks approached. Those who know too much and talk too much have their memories "corrected" in a luxury sanatorium.

EPSG:4326

Women in front of a river landscape (UA)

Schauspielhaus Bad Godesberg

I can't take it anymore. Really, I've had enough, I'm about to burst. I've had enough. If I met a worthless fat man who wasn't completely on top of his game, I'd throw him in the dung and put my foot on his copper face. I'd beat the hell out of him, turn him to kindling, stomp him to a pulp, tear his arms off, play drums with them, and teach him the proper way to play the flute—if I wanted to, I could... But of course I won't. My sense of justice is like a gold scale. And even though my index finger itches to blame a specific person for the fragile state of the world and to take revenge on them through physical revenge, I obviously won't. I appreciate the achievements of civilization. But I've experienced injustice, and I have to take a stand. So I'll stick myself to the street. No, just kidding, I'll just sign a petition. No, just kidding, I'll stand by a ferry with a pitchfork and see if the politician dares to get off. No, just kidding, I'll write a long, angry piece for the arts section. No, just kidding, I'll become an Instagram activist. No, just kidding, I'll throw Molotov cocktails and kidnap the employers' president. No, just kidding, I'll put on a play on the topic and then I can finally sleep peacefully again, because I've publicly acted injustice. Or not?

Kohlhaas (can't get no satisfaction)

Elisabeth is confident. Although she's currently unemployed, has no business license, and still has a fine to pay, what she can rely on is herself. Or rather, her body. She wants to sell it to the anatomical institute for scientific experiments after her death. In return, she hopes to receive 150 marks immediately. That would be enough money for her business license. And with that, she could start her own business and work again. And once she had a job, the world would be her oyster again! Unfortunately, Elisabeth seems to have been completely misinformed. The institute has no interest in acquiring her body. Times are tough. The lonely taxidermist still wants to help and lends her the money. She, in turn, uses this to pay off her previous conviction. Of course, he would never have given his hard-earned money to a criminal. He reports her for fraud, and Elisabeth is sentenced to prison. Once free again, she joins the long line of job seekers in front of the welfare office. Without success. By chance, she meets the police officer Alfons. The two fall in love, but Elisabeth keeps quiet about her run-in with the law. When this comes out, he abandons her to avoid jeopardizing his career. Elisabeth is alone again. Without prospects and worn down by everyday life, she has lost faith in a better society, her love for Alfons, and her hope that she will still find happiness.

Faith, love, hope

Theater Bonn Opera House

Every person is an abyss – no one knows this better than those who stand inexorably before it. Like the penniless soldier Woyzeck, who does everything humanly possible to provide for his girlfriend Marie and their child. He is his captain's henchman and barber and a doctor's guinea pig. At the mercy of his poverty, Woyzeck suffers a daily life dominated by ridicule, agitation, drill, contempt, and violence. His friend Andres suffers a similar fate, but at least he never gives up hope for a peaceful revolution from below. Marie hopes for a more independent life, but apart from providing full-time care for her child, she doesn't know how she can achieve this. Her neighbor Margret observes social conditions very closely. A rage is growing inside her that is slowly spreading to everyone else.

Birte Shrine

Events

Past events

23 - 30 May, 2025

Comedy of Loneliness · Theater Bonn

4 - 30 Apr, 2025

Women in front of a river landscape (UA) · Theater Bonn

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