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Feminist new production: Madame Bovary inspires in Ingolstadt!
The premiere of "Madame Bovary" at the Theater Ingolstadt re-stages Gustave Flaubert's classic and focuses on contemporary women's roles.
Feminist new production: Madame Bovary inspires in Ingolstadt!
On October 24, 2025, the Ingolstadt Theater celebrated the premiere of “Madame Bovary”. Directed by Mirja Biel, Gustave Flaubert's classic novel from 1856 was reinterpreted and brought into the 21st century. The focus is not only on the story of a female figure, but also on the question of how social constraints continue to shape women's lives today. The production impressively addresses how Emma Bovary, played by Sarah-Schulze-Tenberge, is trapped in her boring marriage and desperately looks for distraction and fulfillment - both in affairs and in consumption. Shaped by a fate that ultimately punishes her, she becomes an icon for the joy of life that is suppressed in a patriarchal structure.
What makes the production special is Mirja Biel's courage to break down the historical rigor. In a surprising twist, Emma survives at the end of the performance - with a provocative image: she spits out quinoa. Emma's last words are a clear criticism of Flaubert's portrayal and a call for self-determination. This not only brings the literary figure Emma Bovary to life, but she also becomes a mouthpiece for contemporary women who have to question any social expectations.
A strong ensemble and innovative stage ideas
The production features a remarkable ensemble: Matthias Gärtner plays Charles, while Sascha Römisch plays the mother, Marc Simon Delfs plays Léon and Enrico Spohn plays Rodolphe. The performance is supported by live music and modern visual elements such as LED moving signs, which bring the emotional depth of the story closer to the audience.
The duration of the performance is 2 hours and 45 minutes, including an intermission, which gives the audience enough time to immerse themselves in the complex and emotional world of the characters.
Cultural context and literary heritage
Gustave Flaubert's original work, first published between 1856 and 1857, is considered a masterpiece of literary realism. It tells the story of Emma Bovary, a woman who lives beyond her means to escape the boredom of provincial life. Her search for luxury and passion ends tragically and reflects the unfulfillable aspirations of the bourgeoisie at the time. Flaubert's in-depth analysis of people and their dreams has strong relevance not only in the 19th century, but also today.
The narrative of Emma's struggles and the social norms that bind her not only challenges the society of the time, but also managed to implicate Flaubert in an obscenity trial that shaped his literary career. The novel is not only a profound commentary on the times, but also on the gap between society's expectations and the personal desires of its characters.
In summary, the new stage version of “Madame Bovary” not only offers a look at a well-known work, but also offers fresh perspectives on women's roles in literature and society. The audience can look forward to an impressive production that fascinatingly combines classic and modern elements. You can find out more about the premiere and the production at nachtkritik.de and in Wikipedia.