Jena, July 10, 2026. With the premiere of the summer spectacle ‘Kassandra: Coming of Age at the End of the World,’ Theaterhaus Jena has ceremoniously opened this year’s Kulturarena. The production impresses with an atmospheric interplay of ancient tragedy and modern, summery lightness directly on the theater forecourt.
- What: Summer spectacle ‘Kassandra’ (Theaterhaus Jena)
- When: Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 8:00 PM each day
- Where: Forecourt of Theaterhaus Jena (Schillergäßchen 1, 07745 Jena)
- Tickets: Available online at theaterhaus-jena.de
An Evening Between Ancient Force and Modern Lightness
The production by director Azeret Koua and dramaturg Marion Hélène Weber unfolds a very special summer theater atmosphere on the theater forecourt. The free literary adaptation tells the touching coming-of-age story of the mythological seer Kassandra in the first 75 minutes—from her birth through childhood to adolescence. After a 30-minute intermission, the play transforms for the remaining 55 minutes into a modern, almost pop-musical dialogue that sheds light on the dramatic events of the Trojan War. The successful kickoff with Kassandra marks a brilliant highlight of the Jena cultural summer.
Technical Highlights: Tightrope Walking, Live Music, and Stage Art
Beyond the acting depth, the spectacle thrives on its versatile technical and artistic elements, which lend a floating lightness to the heavy subject matter of Greek tragedy. Even before the actual play begins, a tightrope walker from Circus Momolo (Clara Fellgiebel) draws eyes high above the stage. Later, the child Kassandra, played by Esther Sambale, displays bold acrobatics on the mast.
The evening is musically supported by the vocal presence of the live band led by frontwoman Lucca Linke as well as the beguiling, siren-like chants of the choir. The peep-box-style stage by Elizaweta Veprinskaya, the imaginative costumes by Melanie Kintzinger that shift between antiquity and modernity, and the group scenes choreographed by Jasmin Avissar with flowing fabrics complete the visual total work of art.
Outstanding Ensemble Performance Thrills the Audience
The demanding roles are carried by the ensemble with enormous joy of performance and precision. Saba Hosseini, Thato Kämmerer, Jonathan Perleth, Rebecca Thoß, and Luana Velis shine in their alternating roles and give the characters a tangible intensity. Despite the tragic content surrounding the fall of Troy, the performers succeed in filling the evening with a dynamic that moved the audience to a standing ovation at the premiere on Wednesday evening.
Dates for the Upcoming Weekend
Those who wish to experience this year’s summer spectacle live have their last opportunities this coming weekend. The performances on the theater forecourt will take place as follows:
- Friday, July 10, 2026, at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 8:00 PM
Tickets are available in advance directly through Theaterhaus Jena. Due to noise protection regulations, the performances end punctually to observe Jena’s quiet hours.
🎭 Culture & City Life: The Kulturarena and the Theaterhaus
The Jena summer spectacle traditionally marks the start of the Kulturarena Jena, one of the most important open-air festivals in Thuringia. Since its founding, Theaterhaus Jena has established itself as a venue for unconventional, contemporary forms of theater. The cooperation with local institutions such as Circus Momolo underscores the deep roots of the Kulturarena in Jena’s urban society and ensures unique, interdisciplinary artistic moments in the heart of the ‘City of Light’ year after year.
Source:
Seiltanz, Poesie und Trojas Fall
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.