Scenic installation on the seizure of power in 1933
360° film including introduction and follow-up discussion
"In some way, the atmosphere lacked innocence, informality. You soon realised that something political was going on, that the idea of the nation was at play." Thomas Mann Mario und der Zauberer
In their book Das Grenzlandtheater in Zittau 1934-36, Jos Tomlow and Sabine Spitzner-Schmieder trace the construction of the new theatre during the National Socialist era. Immediately after the Nazis came to power in 1933, the planning of the first of a total of three Grenzland theatres took place with the active participation of the highest political circles. Theatre was incorporated as an important component of right-wing propaganda and was thus part of the strategy that ultimately led to the abyss.
How did those in power think, plan and implement theatre? How did they interpret classical material for their ideology? How did the National Socialist mindset manifest itself in everyday artistic life, at rehearsals or in the canteen? In an interdisciplinary scenic installation, we place the Gerhart Hauptmann Theatre itself at the centre of an evening of theatre and take the audience on a tour backstage and under the stage.
As a visitor, you are part of the interdisciplinary production and are transported back in time from the opening of the theatre in 1936 through a tour from the cellar to the roof, accompanied by scenes.
In order to be able to offer you the theatre experience outside of the Schauspielhaus in Zittau, a 360° film has been produced which, when viewed through virtual glasses, conveys a feeling of "being there live".
This is a continuous multi-day event
