Drama Eisenstein”: lies and secrets across three generations

Drama Eisenstein”: lies and secrets across three generations

What a gripping story awaits the audience at the performance of “Eisenstein” in Heilbronn! On July 5, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the upper foyer, this impressive piece by Christoph Nußbaumeder will be performed live. Tickets are available by calling 07131 563001, by email at kasse@theater-hn.de or online on the theater's website. After the piece, visitors can end the evening relaxing in the StreitBar.

The plot of “Eisenstein” begins in April 1945 with the escape of the young Erna Schatzschneider from Bohemia from the Red Army. Her fiancé died in the Russian Winter War, which she doesn't tell the Hufnagels where she is staying. Instead, she says that he was shot while trying to escape to give the dramatic situation more credibility. On her way she meets an escaped concentration camp prisoner and is also pregnant shortly before arriving in Bavaria.

Family secrets and conflicts

The owner of the Hufnagelsche Hof, Josef, gives Erna accommodation. In order to be looked after by him, Erna pretends that the child is his, which leads to emotional confusion. This is followed by dense family dramas that span three generations and the period up to 2008. Central themes such as the destructive power of lies and the effects of past actions on descendants are highlighted. Erna is only able to explain her white lie to Josef much later, which leads to tensions within the families and moves the viewer to sympathize with those affected [meine.stimme.de reports that ...].

The play is more than just a family saga; it is a critical examination of German post-war history. The author Christoph Nußbaumeder, who is also known for his novel “The Unexpected”, illustrates in his dramaturgy how lies and cover-ups that arose in the post-war period continue to have an impact and put a great strain on relationships. The piece is performed in Eggenfelden with 13 actors, without double casts, and deals with conflicts that arise from untruths and revenge-like relationships [die-deutsche-buehne.de describes...].

Art and society in post-war Germany

The publication of the piece is part of a broad discussion about the German art scene after 1945, particularly about the difficulties of dealing with the issues raised during the Nazi era. Germany's cultural memory is shaped by a variety of circumstances that arose in the period after the Second World War. A remarkable dialogue emerges about the role of art as a mirror of social and political conditions, which also significantly influenced the coming to terms with the Nazi past [deutschlandfunkkultur.de emphasizes that...].

At a time when Germany's cultural identity was being redefined, artists, historians and audiences were faced with the challenge of coming to terms with the past while breaking new ground. “Eisenstein” and its themes are more than just a revival of historical conflicts; they encourage us to reflect on the entanglements and shadows of the past that continue to resonate with current generations.

With all of these elements, “Eisenstein” offers an exciting theater experience that will not only entertain visitors, but also make them think. So if you're in the area, you shouldn't miss this exciting piece!