Sein oder Nichtsein

Show & Culture

Poland, shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. Hamlet is on at the Polski-Theater, with Josef Tura in the title role. His wife Maria regularly meets a young officer during the “Sein oder Nichtsein” monologue. When the Germans invade Poland, Maria’s lover returns as a member of the Polish resistance. He asks the company to help eliminate a professor who intends to betray the resistance to the Gestapo. Tura assumes the role of a German officer, while the Polski-Theater is transformed into Gestapo headquarters. This stage adaptation by Nick Whitby, inspired by Ernst Lubitsch’s 1942 comedy, explores with dark humour the power of theatre and humour in dark times. Frank Hoffmann opens the newly renovated TNL Atelier venue with this play, alongside an ensemble closely linked to TNL’s history.