Laughing Beasts is the name of the independent theatre group under the direction of the renowned Czech director Michal Hába. In their work, they deal with the pressing problems of our time and transform them into rousing productions that - in the spirit of Bertolt Brecht - lack neither entertainment nor a critical view of our reality.
Chemnitz, the former Karl Marx city, is a tantalising starting point for examining the problems of today's world: where have the socio-political utopias gone? And what does the rise of fascism have to do with it? But the Laughing Beasts don't want to make a theatre "about you without you" and invite the residents of Chemnitz and the surrounding area to take part in a creative dialogue.
From 8 to 10 May, the Laughing Beasts will be visiting Chemnitz to introduce themselves, their work and their intentions and to build on their previous artistic research work on site.
On 9 May, there will be an open evening at the OFF-Bühne KOMPLEX with a presentation of the Chemnitz Utopia project. You are cordially invited to a discussion with the makers. What torments Chemnitz? What torments East Germany? What torments Europe? What is tormenting the world?
A full-day acting workshop will take place on 10 May, led by the experienced and award-winning duo of actor Mark Kristian Hochman and director Michal Hába. The workshop is open to everyone, regardless of their previous theatre experience. Selected graduates of the workshop will be offered the opportunity to take part in the upcoming production of Oedipus Utopia.
