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Please Learn German, Mama

A declaration of love with people from Heidelberg
following the book by Tahsim Durgun
Theatre· World premiere
  • Sat 17.10.
    20:00–21:40

    19:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Thu 22.10.
    20:00–21:40

    19:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Sun 25.10.
    19:00–20:40

    18:30 Intoduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Sun 8.11.
    19:00–20:40

    18:30 Introduction
    followed by »Stay & Talk« – an interactive after-talk

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Sun 13.12.
    19:00–20:40

    18:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Mon 14.12.
    11:00–12:40
    Sold out
    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Fri 18.12.
    20:00–21:40

    19:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Thu 14.1.
    20:00–21:40

    19:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Tue 19.1.
    20:00–21:40

    19:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Wed 20.1.
    11:00–12:40
    Sold out
    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Fri 12.2.
    20:00–21:40

    19:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Sun 14.2.
    19:00–20:40

    18:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Sat 6.3.
    20:00–21:40

    19:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Fri 7.5.
    20:00–21:40

    19:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office
  • Sat 8.5.
    20:00–21:40

    19:30 Introduction

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    Last-minute tickets may be available at the box office

Internet star Tahsim Durgun uses humour, empathy and lyricism to recount the realities of life in post-migrant communities. »Please learn German, Mama« is a declaration of love for his own mother and a reckoning with German bureaucracy and the school system.

Director Bassam Ghazi, laureate of the German theatre prize DER FAUST 2024, interlaces Tahsim Durgun’s text with personal experiences of people who themselves have international family backgrounds. What emerges is an encouraging night at the theatre about mothers and foreign tongues – and the silent battles fought by people whose voice is often left unheard.

Info

adapted for the stage by Bassam Ghazi and David Benjamin Brückel

Location
Zwinger, Bühne 1
Duration
1 hr. 40 mins. (no intermission)
First night
2 October 2026
Age recommendation
14+

The production addresses the issues of discrimination and genocide on a linguistic level. It also depicts the process of impending deportation.

INTRODUCTION
by Nida Bulgun and David Benjamin Brückel (in German)

An important share of the work at Theater & Orchester Heidelberg will from now on be developed together with the local community. Participative formats will open the stage for people from Heidelberg and its surroundings. They bring their own stories and perspectives, turning theatre into a place for exchange and collaborative design.

Events

Cast

Gurbet Aday, Şeyda Baran, Filiz Demirbilek, Seif Elaskalany, Ali Hammoudi, Atabi Gnanapiragasam, Mohamed Houro, Felipe Mariño, Urszula McClendon, Emily Nagel, Lucia Örüm, Amedeo Quirion

»Sometimes life is bitter because sweetness takes time.«

Team

Director
Bassam Ghazi
Stage and Costumes
Paulina Barreiro
Choreography
Bahar Gökten
Lighting
Jonah Fellhauer
Dramaturgy
David Benjamin Brückel
Dramaturgical collaboration
Nida Bulgun
Education
Mareike Schneider
Duty Stage Manager / Stage Manager
Leon Rissling
Assistant Director
Sofia Kik
Costume Assistant
Hannah Keller
Soufflage
Sara Eichhorn
Directing Intern
Maria-Ramona Engl

The production of the decorative parts is carried out in the workshops of the Theater & Orchester Heidelberg.

Cast

Gurbet Aday
Şeyda Baran
Filiz Demirbilek
Seif Elaskalany
Ali Hammoudi
Atabi Gnanapiragasam
Mohamed Houro
Felipe Mariño
Urszula McClendon
Emily Nagel
Lucia Örüm
Amedeo Quirion

Press reviews

  • »Die Mehrheit [der Zuschauer] muss zwischen all den ›Whuuus‹ und Begeisterungs-Pfiffen mit den Tränen kämpfen. […] Denn Regisseur Bassam Ghazi lässt neben den traurigen bewusst die frech-fröhlichen Momente strahlen.«

    Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung, 5 October 2026

Magazine

Austausch zu partizipativen Projekten
Theater auf Augenhöhe

In Inszenierungen mit Heidelberger Bürger*innen wird Theater zu einem Ort der gemeinsamen Gestaltung. Wie diese Zusammenarbeit entsteht und warum Gemeinschaft dabei eine so große Rolle spielt, darüber sprechen die Regisseur*innen Bassam Ghazi (»Mama, bitte lern Deutsch«) und Martina van Boxen (»Schöne neue Welt«) mit Choreografin Gaëlle Morello (»Liebes.Rausch«) und Chefdramaturg David Benjamin Brückel.

→ Details →
Essay von Mithu Sanyal
»Ich kann meinen eigenen Namen nicht aussprechen«

Autorin Mithu Sanyal schreibt über den Schmerz des Sprachverlusts in migrantischen Familien, über die Möglichkeit, sich Sprache wieder anzueignen – und über Mehrsprachigkeit als Geschenk. Themen, die den Spielplan dieser Saison im Schauspiel prägen. 

→ Details →