Schaubühne
The History of Violence
Schaubühne
The History of Violence
During a Christmas night in Paris in 2012, the Frenchman Édouard Reda meets a young, attractive man from Algeria. Édouard invites him home and they have a passionate night together. But suddenly everything becomes an unbelievable nightmare.
Schaubühne in Berlin is a theatre company known for sharp analysis and strong productions.
This production is based on the novel “The History of Violence”, highly acclaimed by readers and critics alike, by the French author Édouard Louis. Artistic director Thomas Ostermeier has chosen to closely follow Louis’ story and to complement it with oversized, projected portraits taken with the actors’ mobile phones. This creates an intrusive intimacy that’s hard to avoid. From the naked performance space we are transported to a number of various sites, such as a hospital, apartments, streets and a police station.
This performance pulsates with rage and suffering, violence and homophobia – the racism experienced by Reda, topping it all, exposes the roots of evil. We are held in constant, squalid tension.
“The History of Violence” is performed in German and subtitled in English.
Direction: Thomas Ostermeier
Collaboration Direction: David Stöhr
Set and Costume Design: Nina Wetzel
Music: Nils Ostendorf
Video: Sébastien Dupouey
Dramaturgy: Florian Borchmeyer
Lighting Design: Michael Wetzel
Collaboration Choreography: Johanna Lemke
With: Christoph Gawenda, Laurenz Laufenberg, Renato Schuch, Alina Stiegler
Musician: Thomas Witte