Dark puppet games: Hitler's last hours in the German theater

Dark puppet games: Hitler's last hours in the German theater

In the last days of the "Third Reich", in April 1945, the latest puppet play "Schicklgruber" by Neville Tranter, which celebrated its premiere at the Deutsches Theater Berlin. The play illuminates the last hours of Adolf Hitler and his closest followers. Directed by Nikolaus Habjan, a long-time friend of Tranters, the gloom was presented in Grotesk-bizarre style, which corresponds entirely to the typical style of drinker. The premiere took place on May 28, 2025, and the first performances are already sold out. Further performances are planned on July 11th and 12th, as reported.

"Schicklgruber" thematizes the absurdity of the powerful in the driver's bunker and shows figures such as Hitler, Eva Braun, Joseph Goebbels and Hermann Göring in a blunt, doll -like presentation. The characters played by Manuela Linshalm and Habjan without masks gain human depth. It is particularly emphasized by the irresponsibility of these characters, who are lost in self -pitying conflicts and ultimately end in an oppressive dance of death. It is referred to the absurdity of the power skills of these protagonists who do not want to admit the reality of their situation.

The title and its meaning

The title "Schicklgruber" refers to Aloy's Schicklgruber, Hitler's father, who was born in Döllersheim in 1837. The performance refers to the desire for social advancement and shows the submission to the Nazi ideology. The combination of historical references and grotesque puppet show ensures an unusual view of the events of this dark time. As explains berlin.de, the piece manages to combine history with a hint of bizarre.

criticism and reactions

The premiere reviews are promising. Eberhard Spreng from Deutschlandfunk describes Tranter's original version as "from the garbage of history", while Peter Zander from Berliner Morgenpost refers to the reinterpretation as "evening fine" and refers to its topicality in the context of right back in Germany. The style under Habjan does not bring any new dolls, but a stylistic change in the staging with it that does not reveal any sympathy for the characters. Spectators can look forward to an exciting, impressive performance, which she may also have to think about.

The idea of ​​"Schicklgruber" is highly recommended for history hours and could not only be of interest to theater lovers. The staging convinces with a period of 1 hour and 35 minutes, without a break, which leaves a compact and intensive impression. The puppet show, which has been successful since 2003, is now being prepared for a younger generation of audience, whereby Habjan and Linshalm give the original work of its own note, so [Nachtkritik.de] (https://nachtkritik.de/nachttritiken/Deutschland/berlin-brandenburg/berlin/deutsches-theater-berlin/schicklgru Ber-German-Theater-Berlin-Nikolaus-Habjan-Mit-Neville-Tranters-Successful-Hitlers-LEIT-LAFTE-SAM-IN-FUEHERBUNKER).

An outlook on the upcoming performances shows that the piece did not only meet in the first few days. It remains exciting to see how "Schicklgruber" will develop in the further course and what debates it could initiate. A very hot tip for all theater fans and those interested in history!