I wish we didn't have to tell so many stories about the events that led to the Second World War and not because they've been told so many times but because they relate to today with a scary accuracy. “Mittelreich” is no picnic as at some point it seems that no character on stage has managed to avoid some kind of (sexual) abuse. It also doesn't really give hope, on the contrary: “Mittelreich” states that although art is life, the latter is not worth living as Earth is not a place for the living. What distinguishes “Mittelreich” from other productions of the Theatertreffen selection on the same topic (has there even been any other theme?) is its trust – albeit old-fashioned, some might say – that a drama of one family narrates more about the society than any boldly out-spoken political statement ever could. Also, where other productions preach about diversity, “Mittelreich” takes it as a norm, having a troupe of actors representing people one meets every day in one's daily routine. This is a classical story-telling of a story that is far too familiar to need any kind of aesthetic fireworks.
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