Respect! Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar.

In the organizer's words:

Rock show with live band

In his new production, which premiered in June 2025, Tankred Schleinschock creates an entertaining show with depth. The selected songs by German, American and English musicians, among others, are intended to celebrate the precious achievements and characteristics of humanity - democracy, social diversity, the pursuit of justice, empathy - while at the same time speaking out against forgetting and silencing.

"Smiling is the most elegant way to show your opponents your teeth," said cabaret artist Werner Finck. The show uses music to fight racism and intolerance. It includes numerous rock and jazz songs by Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, among others. Of course, Aretha Franklin's "Respect" is not to be missed, and German songs by Udo Lindenberg and Die Ärzte can be heard - sung and played live.
"... Peti van der Velde did this particularly forcefully and expressively in Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" from 1939 . But it didn't stop at a look at the USA: Jan-Hendrik Kroll and Mike Kühne played and sang as a brilliant duo with German revue and cabaret numbers from the 1920s and 1930s against hatred of Jews and the persecution of homosexuals. Lesley-Ann Eisenhardt provided an emotional highlight here with the Schubert song "Das Heideröslein", performed in chanson style , which the singer related to current crimes against women and girls. Despite all this, there was no shortage of good humor: "Shake it off" and finally Jan Delay's "Oh Jonny" got the audience going. A show as grandiose as it was important!" (Ruhr Nachrichten, Klaus Stüble)

The WLT ensemble will once again be joined by musical guests: Peti van der Velde and Patrick Sühl (photo). Both usually tour with bands or musicals throughout Germany and beyond. For Tankred Schleinschock's latest musical production "Respect - Human dignity is inviolable. A rock show" they are back at the WLT.

Info

Westphalian State Theater

With Patrick Sühl, Peti van der Velde, Lesley-Ann Eisenhardt, Mike Kühne, Jan-Hendrik Kroll, Marvin Moers
Tankred Schleinschock Conception, staging and musical direction
Klaus Dapper tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet
Matthias Fleige trombone, guitar
Jörn Dodt bass
Marco Bussi drums
Claus Michael Siodmok guitar, banjo
Elke König Stage
Maud Herrlein Costumes
Lilian Nikolic Choreography