In his play "Birthday Candles," American playwright Noah Haidle spins a thread of life on which birthdays (some more, some less solemnly celebrated) are strung like pearls on a necklace. 100 years of life – 100 birthday cakes that Ernestine bakes each year according to her mother's recipe as she searches for her place in the universe. At 18, Ernestine is convinced she'll find that place on a theater stage, far away from her tranquil hometown, but as the saying goes, "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." Ernestine starts a family with her childhood sweetheart, experiences highs and lows, and ultimately finds herself reflected in the questions, wishes, and dreams of those who come after her.

EPSG:4326

Birthday Candles

Theater Lübeck

"At this location, Hafenstraße 52, on January 18, 1996, ten people died in an arson attack. They had come to Germany seeking refuge here. This event fills us with grief and pain. Those responsible for the crime have not been identified. The deaths of the victims and the suffering of their families remind us to stand up for the rights and safety of refugees."

Harbor Street

In a village near Utrecht, Judge Adam's word is law. Until Mrs. Marthe Rull appears before his judge's bench. She accuses her daughter Eve's fiancé: Ruprecht secretly sneaked into Eve's room at night—or perhaps even forced his way in—and broke a jug in the commotion. Ruprecht vehemently denies this. He says he found another man in Eve's room, and the man knocked the jug off the ledge as he fled out the window. Because he believes Eve has cheated on him, Ruprecht wants to break off the engagement. And Eve? She remains silent. Instead, Judge Adam talks all the more—and soon gets himself into trouble. Because with every flattery, every evasive maneuver, with every increasingly obvious lie, it becomes clearer who really gained access to Eve's room.

Jan Byl

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 6 - May 28, 2026

Birthday Candles · Theater Lübeck

Past events

Feb 6 - May 28, 2026

Birthday Candles · Theater Lübeck

Oct 2, 2025 - Feb 28, 2026

Harbor Street · Theater Lübeck

About

Jan Byl hasn't added a bio