Matthias Ehlert

Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz 1992-2017. The end of the GDR gave rise to new artistic freedoms in reunited Berlin. Shortly after the fall of the Wall, rebel director Frank Castorf was appointed artistic director of the Volksbühne. His way of working altered the public’s perception of this theater. The chronological history of the Castorf era between 1992 and 2017 is told here in excerpts from the productions and in a series of conversations conducted on the long sofa in the theater's foyer.

The history of Baden-Württemberg begins in 1952 with an imposed fusion. In 1956, opponents of the merger have organized themselves to the point that a referendum is to reverse the decision after the fact. The referendum does not take place until 1970 with a turnout of 62.5% and ends with a vote in favor of the merger of 81.9%. The example of the Baden-Württemberg fusion is used to illustrate how such a fusion takes place, how conflicts are settled, and what the final outcome is.