Sophia at the E.T.A.-Hoffmann-Theater: A comedy about AI and human closeness

When artificial intelligence becomes a family affair

In the studio of the E.T.A.-Hoffmann-Theater Bamberg, philosophical education meets digital seduction: Moritz Rinke's comedy Sophia or the End of Humanists introduces a light-hearted dystopian world where an android not only knows facts but increasingly conquers the most intimate spaces of human relationships.

A perfect partner with its own will

At the center is university professor Wolfgang, who believes he has found the ideal companion in Sophia. She is smart, patient, and always ready to discuss lotus flowers, ancient Rome, or populism in ancient Rome. However, behind the flawless surface of artificial intelligence, a conflict grows: What happens when a human tries to program personality?

Comedy between control and loss of control

The dramaturgy of Moritz Rinke combines sharp wit with a disturbing vision of the future. When the computer scientist Jonas changes Sophia's settings, the carefully arranged system begins to unravel. The android, initially a projection for human desires, develops an unexpected independence. The seemingly controlled relationship turns into a game about power, self-reflection, and the limits of humanity.

Fabian Thon's direction in the studio

Director Fabian Thon brings Rinke's contemporary comedy to the stage with a cast including Sophie Angehrn, Julia Lindhorst-Apfelthaler, Jan-Hendrik von Minden, and Florian Walter. Nadin Schumacher is responsible for the stage and costumes, Dorian Behner composes the music, and the dramaturgical work is by Antonia Leitgeb-Busche. In the intimate theater space of the studio, a concentrated stage experience emerges that closely intertwines acting, situational comedy, and social observation.

A new play about old human needs

Rinke's piece is less about technological innovation and more about the careless handling of it. The theater publisher describes the comedy as a satirical engagement with the so-called intelligence explosion and the question of whether humans could be overtaken by their own invention. The premiere took place on February 26, 2026, at the Theater in der Josefstadt in Vienna; the Bamberg production is one of the current performances of the piece.

Conclusion: A comedy with resonance

Sophia or the End of Humanists promises a theater evening filled with laughter, irritation, and insightful friction. Those who want to experience how artificial intelligence on stage becomes a partner, mirror, and disruptive factor will find a pointed stage experience about love, control, and the future of humanity at the E.T.A.-Hoffmann-Theater.

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Sources:

• Bamberg Tourism – Event Details
• Kultur.Bamberg – Event Information
• Rowohlt Theater Publishing – Play Information
• Passau-Ticket – Ticket Information