Play Details
Context
Artistic Director
Ian Rickson
Translated by
Maja Zade
Part of
New German Playwrights
Dates Performed
Wednesday 10th November 1999
Play Details
Synopsis
Kurt, obsessed with fire, experiments with dangerous substances and becomes increasingly withdrawn and violent. Olga, struggling with her own identity and desires, finds herself drawn into Kurt’s world of chaos. The parents, overwhelmed and disconnected, fail to comprehend the depths of their children’s discontent. The family dynamics unravel as Kurt’s pyromania escalates, leading to catastrophic consequences.
The play explores alienation, violence, adolescent angst, and family dysfunction. The play presents a raw and disturbing portrayal of a family on the brink of collapse, highlighting the intense emotions and destructive impulses that can fester in a repressive and neglectful environment. Mayenburg’s sharp dialogue and vivid imagery capture the unsettling atmosphere and the characters’ profound sense of isolation and despair.