Jena, 09.07.2026 – On Wednesday evening, Theaterhaus Jena premiered its annual summer spectacle, “Kassandra: coming of age at the end of the world,” to a sold-out house. Directed by Azeret Koua, the ancient tragedy was reinterpreted as a three-hour, highly topical social critique that captivated the Jena audience.
- What: Summer spectacle “Kassandra: coming of age at the end of the world”
- Where: Theaterhaus Jena, Schillergäßchen 1, 07745 Jena
- When: Premiere on July 8, 2026, further performances throughout summer 2026
- Duration: Approx. 2 hours 40 minutes (including one intermission)
- Participants: Director: Azeret Koua; Adaptation: Marion Hélène Weber & Azeret Koua; Theaterhaus ensemble, FLINTA choir, live band, and circus artists
Ancient Myth in the Mirror of the Present
The figure of Kassandra from Greek mythology is the prophetess whom no one believes. Punished by the god Apollo, she sees disaster coming, but her warnings go unheeded. The production at Theaterhaus Jena draws a direct, unmistakable parallel to the present day: in times of the advancing climate crisis, the cries of Kassandra from scientists and activists often appear similarly ineffective against those in power. When lines like “Mama’s garden is ash” are spoken on stage, or when the gaze falls upon a seemingly irreversibly destroyed birch forest, the ecological urgency of the present becomes palpable in ancient guise.
Engagement with the Patriarchy
A central theme of the evening is the profound critique of patriarchal structures in which Kassandra is trapped throughout her life. Her journey from girl to woman—the titular “coming of age”—is staged as a continuous struggle against family trauma and societal constraints. Even at her birth, King Priam laments that the newborn is “only a girl.” The powerlessness of women in a male-dominated world culminates in the Trojan War and Kassandra’s own fate.
However, the directing team counters this powerlessness with strong collective energy. A 30-member FLINTA choir (women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans, and agender persons) provides a powerful vocal accompaniment to the events, demanding the dismantling of outdated power structures with slogans such as “Burn the system.”
Elaborate Production with Live Band and Acrobatics
The summer spectacle is characterized by a high degree of interdisciplinarity. In addition to the acting ensemble and the choir, two circus artists are involved. A slackline installed on stage and a high mast are used for acrobatic sequences that make the protagonist’s pursuit of autonomy physically tangible. The versatile stage design by Elizaweta Veprinskaya utilizes symbolic curtains and a real fire during the intermission, while a live band accompanies the play with atmospheric sound collages and pop songs.
Great Audience Success in Jena
Despite the heavy subject matter, Theaterhaus Jena proved successful: the premiere was completely sold out. The mix of thematic depth, spectacular staging, and the lively atmosphere in the theater garden struck a chord with the local audience. In addition to the summer spectacle, the Jena cultural scene offers further highlights for theater enthusiasts in the coming months, such as the announced guest performance Loriot at Volkshaus Jena in the field of sophisticated entertainment.
Further information and tickets for upcoming performances of the current season can be found directly on the website of the Theaterhaus Jena as well as in our section for Events & Culture.
🎭 Culture & City Life: The Summer Spectacle in Jena
The summer spectacle at Theaterhaus Jena is a permanent institution in the city’s cultural calendar. Every summer, the area around the theater is transformed into an open-air stage for unconventional, often interdisciplinary productions. These productions are traditionally characterized by the close interweaving of professional acting, local amateur choirs, live music, and artistic elements. The format regularly attracts a broad audience, including those from outside the region, and is considered an important point of identification for the cultural scene in the Saale Valley.
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.