German theater takes the book to stage

From the sufferings of a Cannibal: New, amusing Theatrium play with excelent actors.

Foto: Hannes FuhrmannParents are embarrassing, all children think. But the father of Sidda and Jonas is not only different - he carries a dark secret with him, for his family to keep. The family father in ”Fathers big secret“ from the book of the same name by Icelandic Thorarinn Leifsson is not normal at all, he is a Cannibal.During the day he snores on the family sofa (It is far to dangerous for his fellow men to let him go to work), at night he rambles through the the city, craving for prey. How long can this go on? What if dad decides to attack his own family? Who is really to be protected from whom?

Leipziger VolkzeitungAnd most importantly: How can one move such an extraordinary book to stage? Steffen Lehmann from Leiv-Kinderbuchverlag Leipzig and Beate Roch, the leader of Theatrium in Grünau, wanted to bring the story from 2007 to stage. A director was found swiftly: Detlef Vitzthum was in on the project even before he had read the book. The premiere was yesterday, after six weeks of rehearsals.
The makers of the youth project have wanted to find better lodgings for their theater for years. But on this grey and cloudy morning this is not apparent. The visitor rows are filled up, a school class is present. The black stripe painted room is bursting with children laughter, restless feet in rose red school skirts dangle from far to high chairs. Shortly after ten the play begins: Jonas tells a Psychiatrist about his family secret in retrospect, the Psychiatrist nods, character is changed, Sidda has the word.
There are only four actors on stage. Larsen Sechert, Falko Köpp, Viola Kowski and Thomas Deubel are changing in and out of two roles each, the stage arrangement is constantly changing. Everyone is dressed in black overalls, red objects make the transitions between characters easier. In spite of the serious undertone and double meanings of the play it is quite funny in many instances, not least due to the excelent actors. They are in non-stop movement, shouting and laughing and singing, its is a great pleasure to observe them. This is an amusing play with an unexpected ending leading to serious afterthoughts.
Caroline Baetge