The medicus conquers Zwickau: thrilling musical starts soon!

The medicus conquers Zwickau: thrilling musical starts soon!

Something big is happening in Zwickau: rehearsals for the summer theater at the Gewandhaus have begun and the popular musical “The Medicus” by Noah Gordon is being performed as an open-air production on the open-air stage at the Schwanenteich. The premiere won't be long in coming and will take place on Thursday, August 21st. The organizers are looking forward to the story, which takes place in the 11th century and follows the young orphan Rob Cole, who has the gifted ability to predict death.

Rob Cole pursues an exciting dream and dares to travel to Persia to study medicine in the advanced culture there. He pretends to be a Jew in order to be accepted into a medical school in Isfahan. This illustrates the challenges and cultural coexistence, which are also a central theme in the adaptation of the musical. In particular, Iván Macías' music, which has been consistently praised by critics, contributes to the captivating atmosphere of the performance.

The team behind the success

The production will be conducted under the musical direction of GMD Leo Siberski, with the main roles played by Friedrich Rau as Rob Cole and Elisabeth Birgmeier as Mary. It is directed by opera director Horst Kupich and co-director Chris Murray, who also takes on the role of the Shah. Preparations are in full swing and the theater box offices will reopen for ticket sales on August 11th. Tickets are available both online and on site.

“The Medicus” is not only a real hit in its musical form - the roots of the story go back to the historical novel of the same name by Noah Gordon, which was published in 1986. With more than eight million copies sold in Germany, the novel quickly became a global bestseller and premiered as a musical for the first time in Fulda in 2016. The curiosity of the audience is great, as the production was successfully revived in 2017 and 2018 and thus struck a chord with the audience.

A look into history

The main character, Rob Cole, is not only a fictional hero, but allows readers and viewers to immerse themselves in a historical period rich in cultural and medical discoveries. The story shows the coexistence of different cultures in the Middle Ages and highlights how knowledge and science were shared across borders. This theme is also relevant in other historical novels that focus on the Middle Ages, such as The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett or The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, giving viewers a comprehensive insight into a world long gone.

With “The Medicus” the Theater Plauen-Zwickau has taken on a great challenge and presents a gripping story about passion, knowledge and the search for one's own place in the world. The audience can look forward to a full-length show that not only inspires, but also makes you think.