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DIE JANE-AUSTEN-METHODE

A comedy by Golda Barton with songs by Riah Knight and Reddym

In therapist Stolzenbach-Tiefwasser’s self-help seminar, six singles want to free themselves from romantic ideals à la Mr. Darcy.
To do so, they undergo a therapeutic reenactment: With fog, wind, and historical costumes, famous Jane Austen scenes are reenacted and scrutinized for their romantic promises. But Jane Austen herself appears, contradicts the therapist, and meddles more than the therapist would like. The therapeutic concept turns into a A Midsummer Night’s Dream-like game of confusion…
Can true self-determination be reconciled with the longing for true love?

The world premiere will take place on October 23, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at the Theater Freiburg (Großes Haus).

Since 2000, the NESTROY Prize has been awarded to recognize outstanding achievements on stages in Vienna and throughout Austria.

Director Jakab Tarnóczi was nominated last year as BEST EMERGING DIRECTOR and has received a nomination this year for his production of “WIR TÖTEN STELLA” (based on Marlen Haushofer) at the Schauspielhaus Graz in the category of Best Provincial Production.

Calle Fuhr is nominated for DIE QUELLE (Theater am Werk in collaboration with DOSSIER and the Schauspielhaus Wien) in the category Best Play – Playwright Award.

There are also nominations for acting performances in the following productions:

• Simon Bauer as Best Actor in the role of Prince Myshkin in Martina Gredler’s production of “The Idiot,” loosely based on Fyodor Dostoevsky | Bronski & Grünberg Theater
• Maximilian Pulst as Best Actor in the role of Marianne in “Tales from the Vienna Woods,” based on Ödön von Horváth and Johann Strauss, directed by Rieke Süßkow | Volkstheater Wien
• Otiti Engelhardt for Best Supporting Role as Stella in Jakab Tarnóczi’s production of “We Kill Stella” | Schauspielhaus Graz

In addition, Jessica Rockstroh is nominated in the category Best Set Design for her set design in “Genocide or My Liver Is Pointless” by Werner Schwab at the Burgtheater, directed by Fritzi Wartenberg.

The awards ceremony will take place as part of the 2026 Nestroy Gala on November 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Volkstheater Wien.

DER ZERBROCHNE KRUG
Comedy by Heinrich von Kleist

Directed by: Fritzi Wartenberg
Stage Design: Polly Stephan

DIE DEUTSCHE BAHN AG

Ein tragisch komischer Bühnenessay
von und mit Calle Fuhr

Following his acclaimed one-man shows KRIEG UND FRIEDEN and AUFSTIEG UND FALL DES HERRN RENÉ BENKO, Calle Fuhr now delves into the corporate network of Deutsche Bahn AG. He analyses political cronyism, examines the reasons behind Deutsche Bahn’s disastrous state, and identifies the steps that must be taken to ensure a successful and vibrant future.

The World Premiere takes place on October 9, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Schauspiel Köln (Schauspielhaus).

STEREOPHONIC

von David Adjmi
Songs von Will Butler

German translation von Marius von Mayenburg

STEREOPHONIC is set in a recording studio in Sausalito in the mid-1970s. A rock band on the verge of superstardom is trying to record its second album. The process, which had been planned for weeks, drags on endlessly – fuelled by alcohol, sleep deprivation and cocaine – and causes old rifts within the group to resurface: what begins as a dispute over tempo and song length reveals deeper fractures in the relationships between the band members.
Thomas Ostermeier directs the German-language premiere of the multi-award-winning Broadway hit.

The premiere takes place on October 7, 2026, at 7:30 P.M. at the Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz Berlin.

REIGEN. VARIATIONEN

by Anja Hilling freely adapted from »Reigen« by Arthur Schnitzler
Directed by Ran Chai Bar-zvi

24 hours in the Englischer Garten. Somewhere between Monopteros and the Haus der Kunst – in ten scenes and each time in pairs – DJ Ada, businessman Franzi, poet Graf, cleaner Maro and sex worker Eleonore meet.
Anja Hillings’ Reigen variations, based on Arthur Schnitzler, are Ran Chai Bar-zvi’s first production at the Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel (Bavarian State Theatre).

Philophobia

Intergalactic Cruising in the Dark Forest
by Heiki Riipinen and Ensemble
Directed by Heiki Riipinen

In his first production at the Münchner Volkstheater, director and performance artist Heiki Riipinen gathers those stigmatized by society as “different” around a campfire. United in a newfound sense of solidarity, they attempt to overcome their fear of love so they will no longer be alone. Everyone in this strange community of shared fate brings their own story of the desire for connection and its failure.

The world premiere will take place on September 25, 2026, at 8 p.m. at the Münchner Volkstheater.

DER ABEND VOR DEM DANACH (The Night Before the Lifetime After)
by Lisa Wentz

Eine Dinnerparty in der Villa eines wohlhabenden Finanziers wird zum Schauplatz einer sich langsam zuspitzenden Konfrontation: Luca, ein ehrgeiziger junger Banker, erscheint mit seiner Frau Irene, um mit seinem Chef Gabriel einen Deal zu feiern – doch Gabriels geheimnisvolle neue Freundin Alexandra hat ganz eigene Pläne für diesen Abend. Während Höflichkeiten in Konfrontation umschlagen, zerlegt Alexandra methodisch die Männerwelt aus Verleugnung, Geld und gegenseitigem Schutz.

A dinner party at a wealthy financier’s villa becomes the stage for a slow-burning reckoning: Luca, an ambitious young banker, arrives with his wife Irene to celebrate a career-defining deal with his boss Gabriel — but Gabriel’s mysterious new girlfriend Alexandra has her down plans for this night. Over the course of the evening, as pleasantries curdle into confrontation, Alexandra methodically dismantles the men’s world of denial, money, and mutual protection.

The world premiere will take place on September 12, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. at the Schauspiel Frankfurt (Kammerspiele).