Fantastic theater in Hamburg: Moers' city of dreaming books enchants!

Fantastic theater in Hamburg: Moers' city of dreaming books enchants!

A literary dream is coming to life in Hamburg, as the premiere of Walter Moers' “The City of Dreaming Books” caused a sensation at the Schauspielhaus. With a thrilling production directed by Viktor Bodó, viewers immerse themselves in the fictional world of Buchhaim, a place entirely dedicated to literature and fantasy. NDR reports, this adaptation, based on the fourth volume of the popular Zamonien novels, will attract both younger and older audiences. Many Walter Moers fans found themselves in the rows to experience the spectacle.

The story follows protagonist Hildegunst von Mythenmetz, an aspiring writer who seizes his opportunity after discovering a mysterious manuscript. On his search for the author of this work, he encounters a variety of bizarre characters and adventures in the city of Buchhaim. This spirit of adventure is brought to life by a large ensemble of musicians, dancers and actors, while the production plays with cinematic and grotesque elements, inspired by the horror films of the 1920s. As well as The German stage notes, the set is a wonderful replica of an old library that enchants in its splendor.

A feast for the senses

Enthusiastic spectators describe the premiere as a true celebration and “fast-paced spectacle” that was honored with thunderous applause and euphoric reactions. The stage version, developed by Sybille Meier, Anna Veress and Daniel Neumann, brings the fantastic characters to new life. With imaginative costumes by Eszter Kálmán and musical accompaniment by five live musicians, the play becomes a real experience.

A special highlight is the short live film sequence, which provides additional momentum, even though it only makes up a small part of the action. This combination of theater and film makes the evening even more exciting and appeals to the audience in a variety of ways. The explosiveness of the literary world is taken up in the social interactions, evident through characters such as agent Claudio Harfenstock and the critic Laptanti-del Latuda, as well as the antagonist Phistomefel Smeik, who controls the city as a literary autocrat.

The message of the power of books

A strong message runs through the entire production: books are more than just printed pages; they embody dreams, adventures and stories that live through time. The evening ends with an exaggeratedly cheesy musical finale and leaves the audience in a euphoric mood. It's not just the lovingly designed production that inspires everyone, but also the reminder that the world of books must never be forgotten. Walter Moers himself, born in 1957, has become an important binocular into the fantastic expanses of literature with his Zamonien novels and has thrilled readers across generations.

Whether young or old, the joy of storytelling and fascination with the world of books lives on through this performance, reminding us that there are still stories to be discovered, waiting to be told.