SIE SAGT. ER SAGT.

In the organizer's words:

The EUROStudios await you on 04.11 at 19:30 in the Ruhrfestspielhaus with the play "She says. HE says."

After "TERROR" and "GOTT", the former criminal defense lawyer Ferdinand von Schirach, who has risen to become an international bestselling author, once again presents a morally complex topic with analytical acuity in his new, gripping justice drama "SIE SAGT. Er sagt." (She Says. He Says.), he once again presents a morally complex, divisive topic for discussion with analytical acuity.

The criminal trial in "She says. He says.", in which the accusation of alleged rape is being heard. Will the verdict follow the principle of "in dubio pro reo" - in case of doubt for the accused - because there are no witnesses and testimony stands against testimony?

The two, who are now facing each other in court as opposing parties, had met on their talk show. A month after this encounter, he took the initiative and arranged to meet her. They both fell in love with each other. They ended their secret affair, which lasted exactly four years, because of their respective families. Nevertheless, both spouses filed for divorce.

She says that Christian Thiede was the love of her life. She says that they decided to separate together. She says they went to his apartment on August 14 at the chance reunion. She says that they kissed. She says they then went to the bedroom. She says that after the initial consensual sex, she was raped despite her repeated requests to stop. Three days later, she reported Mr. Thiede.

He says that Katharina was the love of his life for him too. He says that the separation was not a joint decision, but that he ended the relationship. He says that they kissed at the chance meeting in his apartment on August 14. He says that they did not go into the bedroom but stayed on the sofa. He says that at no point did she clearly say NO to any action. He says that he did not rape her.