Premiere of the surrealistic comedy Laszlos Herz in the Theaterhaus Jena!

Premiere of the surrealistic comedy Laszlos Herz in the Theaterhaus Jena!

The stage of the Theaterhaus Jena was richer for a special treat on July 2, 2025: The premiere of the surrealistic comedy "Laszlos Heart" by Peter Neugschwentner was up. In an opulent backdrop that came up with a climbing wall and cable car, the story of a lost heart, which was accidentally integrated into a stage design, turned out. This original staging celebrates the end of the season and at the same time looks back on the first season of the theater house, which has established itself as a real common room. The MDR describes that not only the piece, but also the community experience is in the foreground - an idea that is passionately supported by Josef Bäcker, who is part of the artistic direction of the house in 2024/2025.

The plot of "Laszlos Herz" follows Laszlo, who lies lifeless on a chaiselongue, while his friends and mother try to recapture his heart. Exciting encounters with bizarre figures - such as a director on a forklift, a scolding crow and even a trumpet animal - make the piece an adorable experience. According to the theater website, this piece is not only recommended for viewers from the age of 12, but also offers an unexpected insight into the dynamics of theater and audience, because the director plans to tear down the wall between the stage and the auditorium to enable the imagination in the open air.

artistic direction and career

Josef Bäcker, born in Sassenberg in 1987, North Rhine-Westphalia, has already gained a colorful bouquet of experiences in the theater world. Before he came to the theater, he juggled with professions such as teacher student, geriatric nurse and waiter. His commitment to theater art shows itself in projects for children and adolescents as well as in political educational measures at the Junge Theater Detmold. With the theater collective "Bäk Laba" and productions such as "Koyaanisqatsi", he made a name for himself.

with "All the beautiful", which he designed together with David Edward, Bäcker again shows his good hand for exciting, socially relevant pieces. His role as a drama dramaturge on the young! At the Staatstheater Braunschweig ended in 2024, and since then he has spurated various projects that bring in the diversity of performing art. Carsten Tesch took over the moderation of the premiere, while Angelika Zapf was responsible for the editorial team.

theater as a cultural heritage

theater houses like that in Jena are not only sites of the performance, but also living places of culture. The MDR confirms the importance of the theater as a community -building place, which comes to the fore, especially in times of the need for social cohesion. Also in the context of theater history, which is characterized by a variety of awards such as the Max Herrmann dissertation price, the development of theater can be found as a space for social reflection.

Theater history research, such as the work of Dr. Christina Vollmert-Boldt on the civil festival culture, reflects exactly this facet. In 2024 she was allowed to accept the Max Herrmann dissertation price and the associated honors. Her investigation of the theater -historical dimension celebrated great attention and shows how deeply rooted the theater is in the cultural memory of our society.

In this sense, the news from Jena not only invite you to visit the theater, but also to think about the role this art form plays in our everyday life and cultural history. "Laszlos heart" could be exactly the impetus it takes to rekindle the love for the stage.