The Good Person of Szechwan

Bertolt Brecht’s parable play "The Good Person of Szechwan" is reinterpreted here as a musical theater production in its world premiere. At its heart is Shen Te, who tries to be a good person, but her kindness is constantly exploited. To survive, she assumes the role of her ruthless cousin Shui Ta – but is that the solution? The play’s central question is: Which is more exhausting – being a good person or always playing the villain?

The music is composed by Cong Su, whose Oscar-winning film score for "The Last Emperor" is known worldwide. His adaptation blends Brecht’s socially critical themes with a contemporary musical language. The production is directed by Stephan Suschke, a renowned Brecht expert and former head of drama at the Landestheater, who returns for this project. The performance, in German with surtitles, consists of a prologue and ten scenes.