Name: The Broken Jug, Heinrich von Kleist, Calderon Games 2026
Start: 2026-06-30T22:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-07-01T00:30:00+02:00
Location: Alte Hofhaltung

Kleist's comedy classic in the open air: The Broken Jug in Bamberg

When Heinrich von Kleist's most famous court trial begins in the Old Courtyard, the art of language meets a historical backdrop and transforms into a summer stage experience of particular tension. Judge Adam fights for interpretative authority, truth, and facade, while one of the sharpest comedies in German theater history unfolds with dramatic precision.

A classic that still sparks today

The Broken Jug is considered a prime example of comedic escalation: Kleist allows a seemingly trivial mishap to grow into a tribunal of power, lies, and self-disclosure. It is precisely the mix of court satire, psychological precision, and buoyant comedy that makes the piece a perennial favorite in the performing arts. The production in Bamberg uses this quality for a contemporary lens on human weaknesses.

The Old Courtyard as a vibrant venue

The historical architecture of the Old Courtyard lends the evening a theatrical atmosphere that almost effortlessly carries the text. Timber framing, courtyard, and the aura of the UNESCO World Heritage city create that tension between distance and closeness, which makes open-air theater so appealing. The courtroom on stage receives an additional layer: the audience sits as witnesses and accomplices in the midst of the action.

Direction, set design, and ensemble

Under the direction of Jasper Brandis, with set design by Anna Siegrot and dramaturgy by Antonia Leitgeb-Busche, the production promises a clear, concentrated interpretation of the classic. The cast featuring Stephan Ullrich, Eric Wehlan, Marek Egert, Iris Hochberger, Laura Röseler, Daniel Warland, and Hermia Gerdes opens up spaces for tempo, precision, and pointed acting. This is where the strength of this material lies: every gesture can become a revelation.

Why the theater evening is worthwhile

Those who experience The Broken Jug live receive more than literature on stage. An evening is expected that balances comedy and judicial farce, between baroque linguistic delight and modern insights into power mechanisms. The result is an intense stage experience that remains entertaining while prompting thought. Absolutely worth experiencing live and enjoy the unique energy of the Calderon Games in Bamberg.