by William Shakespeare
translated from the English by Angela Schanelec
DIRECTED BY: Pınar Karabulut
PFAUEN
PREMIERE: 14.03.2026
1 hour 45 minutes (no interval)
When natural forces rebel and storms turn the world upside down, it can only mean one thing: trouble in fairyland.
Oberon and Titania, rulers of this magical realm, are once again having a fierce relationship crisis, bickering so intensely that the elves lose their senses. Not a good moment to get lost in their forest. But of all times, four lovers and a troupe of artisans from Athens stumble through the woods. While the latter want to rehearse a play far from prying eyes, making fools of themselves in the process, the other four are deeply in love, but suffering even more from it. For Cupid shoots his arrows carelessly, and so Hermia and Lysander flee from the furiously jealous Demetrius, who in turn is pursued by the lovesick Helena. Reason enough for Oberon's helper Puck to throw a potent magical potion into the mix, which soon causes confusion on all fronts. As night falls over their heated minds, unforeseen urges awaken. In the thicket of grand emotions and even greater nastiness, a nightmarish haunting begins, making the entire forest tremble.
On the Pfauenbühne, Pınar Karabulut shamelessly and exuberantly explores the absurdities of love. She transforms Shakespeare's sticky, damp summer fairy tale into a wild ride along the fine line between love and desire, power and submission, throwing both humans and goblins off balance.
Translated from the English by Angela Schanelec, in collaboration with Jürgen Gosch and Wolfgang Wiens.
Supported by the INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND ART FOUNDATION (IMAF)
SENSORY NOTE
After approximately one hour, there will be loud music and occasional flickering lights for about five minutes.
with English surtitles
English introduction 7.30 p.m.
"This 'Midsummer Night's Dream' impresses with its sensuality and amusement."
"A feast for the eyes! A shimmering spectacle in green, blue, and red: everyone is wearing legendary, fantastic, and lovingly crafted costumes." "
"All of them seem to have emerged from a bizarre book of fairy tales; so fantastic is their look, and just as crazy is their performance. [...] It is a constant tripping and staggering, twitching and squirming, gesturing and grimacing: overacting is the program. And here it is truly enjoyable, because it is performed with virtuosity."
"The rising stars steal the show: Henri Mertens gives a virtuoso performance as Klaus Zettel (Nick Bottom), Lorena Handschin from Basel plays a mischievous, singing King Oberon, and Zurich native Florian Voigt stands out as the craftsman Franz Flaut (Francis Flute)."
