Love chaos on the campsite: Romeo and Juliet on the jukebox” inspires!

Love chaos on the campsite: Romeo and Juliet on the jukebox” inspires!

On August 17, 2025, the eagerly awaited premiere of “Romeo and Juliet on the Jukebox” took place at the Eisleben Theater. This production, directed by artistic director Frank Martin Widmaier, focuses less on classic Shakespeare and more on the real challenges of the relationship between the protagonists Klaus and Jaqueline. The action takes place in the summer of 1990 at a campsite in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, where 35 years after their first meeting, the relationship between the two is put to the test.

Klaus, played by Oliver Beck, has his small car dealership in financial difficulties. Jaqueline, played by Annette Baldin, works in a doctor's office and dreams of more self-determination, while her once romantic relationship has developed into a backdoor marriage. Driven by the desire to revive feelings he thought were lost, Klaus tries to refresh the past with the help of a jukebox. The music from artists such as Karat, Puhdys and the Petshop Boys accompanies the emotional scenes and underlines the humorous but also serious conflicts that the couple experiences.

Focus on relationship work

The production not only addresses the problems that come with getting older, but also reflection on life goals and past relationships. In a special twist, the author Kai O. Schubert took some dialogues from the original Shakespeare work and reworded them to suit the campsite situation. The performance creates a bridge between comedy and tragedy, encouraging the audience to both laugh and think.

The flexible stage, which appears improvised, reflects the carefree and casual lifestyle of the youth. To enhance the visual impression, the actors forego elaborate costumes and instead rely on simple accessories, which draws the focus to the interpersonal dynamics.

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