51. Mülheimer Theatertage: "To My Little Boy" von Caren Jeß

In the organizer's words:

Nominated for the Mülheim Drama Prize 2026: "To My Little Boy" by Caren Jeß

Animals often play a role in the plays by North German playwright Caren Jeß (born 1985), which are characterized by laconic wit and critical openness to the world. "Bookpink", which was invited to the 45th Mülheim Theater Festival, was a collection of bird fables, and she won the Mülheim Drama Prize in 2023 with "Die Katze Eleonore". Aaron, the hero of the latest Jeß drama "To My Little Boy", cannot part with his fluffy pig even as an adult. As well-informed as he is as a geologist about the precarious state of the world, he finds it difficult to deal with the private things in life. In the end, he may have lost his fluffy pig, but not his hope. A play about friendship, love and mining waste in the late Anthropocene. (Wolfgang Kralicek, selection committee "Plays" 2026)

To My Little Boy
Polyester hero
Caren Jeß

In the production of the Thalia Theater, Hamburg

With: Cino Djavid, Torben Kessler, Cennet Voß

Director: Marie Bues
Stage: Heike Mondschein
Costumes: Amit Epstein
Music: Lila-Zoé Krauß
Dramaturgy: Nora Khuon

Sensitive content: Thematization of queer hostility, climate anxiety
Sensory stimuli: stroboscope-like light effects

All information about the play and the entire program of the 51st Mülheim Theatre Days at: stuecke.de