Der Prozess

In the organizer's words:

based on the novel of the same name by Franz Kafka

"Someone must have slandered Josef K., because without him having done anything wrong, he was arrested one morning." - Kafka's novel fragment begins with this sentence. Two gentlemen suddenly stand in front of Joseph K. and declare him under arrest. They explain nothing more. What he is accused of remains a mystery. The gentlemen do not take him away and Joseph K. can continue to go about his work. His attempt to appear in court leads him to a labyrinthine attic. Still convinced of his innocence, he attaches little importance to the whole trial. Joseph K. hires a lawyer, but he searches in vain for clarification of his case or even a sensible course of action. Although the trial makes little progress, it gradually takes over Joseph K. completely - until one day he learns of his conviction and is executed.

What is K.'s guilt? What kind of court is it that sits in attics? Is there any point to this trial? Is Joseph K. being subjected to a completely arbitrary system? What can he do himself? Joseph K.'s surroundings are becoming more and more unsympathetic. His own attempts to exert influence seem to support the system. With factual, precise language, author Franz Kafka creates a monstrous world. His fantasies have a frighteningly existential power and seem as fresh and compelling today as they did 100 years ago. Powerlessness, guilt and shame become the central themes of this nightmare in the course of the plot, which Anne Bader stages as a visually powerful thriller.