markus&markustheaterkollektiv: Die Brieffreundschaft II

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  – Feder in Halter, Tintenfass und Papier auf Tisch in dunkler Umgebung, bläuliches Licht.

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  – Raum mit blauer Beleuchtung, einem hängenden Plastikfisch, Projektionen von Korallenriffen und Dunst, der den Boden bedeckt.

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  – Person mit Brille und rotem Kapuzenpullover vor Projektionsleinwand mit handschriftlichem englischem Text.

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  – Zwei Personen mit Vogelmasken lesen Mappen vor einer Leinwand mit fliegenden Moeven. Links graues Shirt, rechts rote Kapuze.

How we deal with those who have committed violent crimes remains a question that lays bare the woundedness of our society. How will future generations look back on the way we punish today?

Recap. In 2021, Die Brieffreundschaft premiered at Sophiensæle. markus&markustheaterkollektiv struck up correspondences with four women serving life sentences for murder. The letters were the only means of developing the production together, and at the same time its central stylistic device. The question asked most often after the performances is: “Are you still writing to your pen pals?” Yes.

A lot has changed since 2021: in the world, in the penal system—and in the lives of the people who agreed back then to take part in an unusual experiment. Die Brieffreundschaft II makes visible what happens in five invisible years in prison. What kind of measure of time is five years when the horizon is life? While 1,825 days have gone by for us, their annual statement lists how many days the pen pals have already served towards release, then as now: 0. And how many days are left until release: death.

Anyone who already knows Amber, Lisa Jo, Maureen and April will recognise them – and everyone else gets to meet them for the first time. As in every new season, someone new joins the performance too: Olivia. She asks the question: Have you ever gotten into a car after one or two drinks and driven home? And did you get there safely?

I didn’t.

INFORMATION ON ACCESSIBILITY

Concept and realisation: Lara-Joy Bues, Katarina Eckold, Markus Schäfer, Markus SchmansSet design: Konstanze Grotkopp, CassidyAndTheKid (2021)Lighting design: Anahí Pérez, Rio TheisVoices: Marie Jordan, Ronja Losert, Laura NaumannDrawings: Rosanna MerklinOutreach: Daria BertramThanks to: Amber, April, Lisa-Jo, Maureen, Olivia

A production by markus&markus theaterkollektiv in coproduction with Sophiensæle. Funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion, MWK Niedersachsen, Stiftung Niedersachsen, Friedrich Weinhagen Stiftung. Media partners: Missy Magazine, Siegessäule, taz.

Next date: Die Brieffreundschaft II - Premiere

• Date Thursday, 26/November/2026 21:00 ( 3 more dates )
• Venue Sophiensaele - Hochzeitssaal
• Address Sophienstraße 18, 10178 Berlin-Mitte
• Price from €25.00

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