Three Times Left is Right

Theatertreffen 2026 | 10 remarkable productions

Three Times Left Is Right – Tanzende Frau in Unterwäsche mit Gedärmen und blutverschmierter Mann im Bett vor einer Plakatierung mit der Aufschrift "Now" und "Never Again".

by Julian Hetzel

A production by Studio Julian Hetzel in co-production with Wiener Festwochen | Free Republic of Vienna and Schauspiel Leipzig, with support of De Balie (Amsterdam), SPRING Performing Arts Festival (Utrecht) and CAMPO Gent (Belgium)

World premiere: 17.5.2025 (Wiener Festwochen | Free Republic of Vienna)

 

In Three Times Left is Right Julian Hetzel examines radically opposing political positions through the microcosm of a couple’s relationship, combining a sharp concept, biting humour and a deliberate selection of ideological buzzwords.  

He is a university professor with a left-wing background; she is a media commentator for the new right. At first glance, they appear to share little. Yet they are a couple – despite their divergent worldviews. What does it mean to live together under such conditions? What conversations do they have between the dining table and the tennis court? How do they raise their children? When does the personal become political? With black humour and a calculated play on trigger warnings, Hetzel’s “docufiction” constructs a family portrait that reflects the fractures within contemporary society. In an intensely physical performance, Josse De Pauw and Kristien De Proost embody a couple inspired by real-life figures. Three Times Left Right destabilises seemingly stable boundaries and reveals how easily our moral compass can shift.

Jury Statement

“Julian Hetzel has devised an unconventional and stunning chamber play inspired by the relationship between a left-wing cultural scholar and a new right thinker from Vienna. How do they manage to live together when their views of the world are diametrically opposed? Kristien de Proost and Josse De Pauw play a couple for whom political conflicts have invaded their personal lives. With microscopic precision Hetzel zooms in on the internal aspects of their relationship, where conversations in the playground unsettle the certainties of an established institution. In a minimalist setting the pair deliver a heated battle over who has the better ideology – exemplifying how society is divided. Why are the left’s thought patterns so swiftly hijacked by the right? With disconcerting humour Hetzel constructs idiosyncratic images for the heated climate of debate and for radicalisation – until even the subtitles take on a life of their own. One watches the performance with sweaty palms and leaves this cleverly conceived and stimulating evening absolutely shattered. A masterpiece of provocation.”

– Vincent Koch for the Theatertreffen-jury

To the video statement (in German)

 

Artistic Team

Julian Hetzel – Direction

Miguel A. Melgares – Dramaturgy

Sodja Lotker, Kristien De Proost – Artistic collaborator

Bahadir Hamdemir – Video, Light Design

Frank Wienk – Music, Composition

Aengus Havinga – Technical Coordinator

Jakob Proyer – Production Coordinator

Yola Parie – Production Manager

Tom Doeven – Sound, Programming

Ruben Lijbers, Koen van der Heijden, Harm Bredero – Tour Technicians

Timm Burkhardt – Creative Technology

Esmée Begemann – Directors Assistant

Django Walon – Scenography Assistant

Farah Nehme – Costume Assistant

Edd Vossen – Set Builder

Merijn Versnel – Mechatronics

Carly Heathcote – Silicone Artist

Daniel Pauselius – LED Technician

Sophia op ten Berg – Intern

Koen Van Der Heijden, Harm Bredero, Aengus Havinga, Yola Parie, Jakob Proyer – Poster Boys

Cast

Josse De Pauw & Kristien De Proost

Production Studio Julian Hetzel

Co-production Wiener Festwochen | Free Republic of Vienna (AT), Schauspiel Leipzig (DE)

Partners Creation, Research and Context Programme CAMPO Gent (BE), De BalieAmsterdam (NL) and SPRING Performing Arts Festival Utrecht (NL)

With the support of City of Utrecht (NL), Performing Arts Fund (NL), Ammodo Art (NL), Fonds ZOZ (NL) K.F. Hein Fonds (NL)

Audience Talk

on Friday, 15.5.2026 after the performance

There are indications of sensitive and/or health-relevant content.

Next date:

• Date Friday, 15/May/2026 19:30 (2 more dates)
• Venue Quasimodo
• Address Kantstraße 12A, 10623 Berlin-Charlottenburg