Mephisto
Based on the text by Klaus Mann
Marguerre-Saal
[recommended for ages 16 and up]
A man strives for success, he becomes a theatre director, senator and member of the state council, concluding a »pact with the devil«. Klaus Mann’s famous »novel of a career« about the actor Hendrik Höfgen who collaborated with Nazi leaders is considered one of the most controversial panoramas of the 20th century. First appearing with a German exile publisher in Amsterdam in 1936, the book was later banned in the Federal Republic of Germany because the character of Hendrik Höfgen had too much of a resemblance with Klaus Mann’s brother-in-law Gustaf Gründgens. »Mephisto« is a highly topical story about adaptation and resistance, career-mindedness and artistic morals.
Director Daniel Foerster received the Nachwuchspreis (New Talents Prize) of Heidelberger Stückemarkt in 2014. 2023 saw the performance of his stage version of Gottfried Keller’s novella »Clothes Make the Man« with Junges Theater Heidelberg.
The production of the decorative parts is carried out in the workshops of the Theater und Orchester Heidelberg.
A complete list of all employees of the technical departments involved can be found here.
Listen to an introduction by Lene Grösch (in German) here.
Trailer by Siegersbuschfilm