New play We Persians”: Current problems brought to the stage!

New play We Persians”: Current problems brought to the stage!

On October 26, 2025, the Deutsches Theater Göttingen celebrated the premiere of Ivana Sokola's new play “We Persians”. With this production, director Branko Janack brings a breath of fresh air into the classical world of Aeschylus by opening up new perspectives on his tragedy. The piece puts current problems in a modern guise, addressing topics such as news overload, misinformation and the discussion about conscription. It's about more than just historical conflicts; it takes the pulse of the times and actively involves the audience.

Moira Gilliéron's stage design alone captivates the audience. A corrugated iron wall and the staging of water floods create a dense atmosphere that illustrates both the physical and emotional challenges of the protagonists. Queen Atossa, played by Andrea Strube, expresses her displeasure at the flood of information: “Are you kidding us?” The work also raises questions about the credibility of news.

The topicality of the production

The piece addresses the challenges in journalism today and highlights the crisis of trust that many people feel. While in Aeschylus' original only a messenger delivers the news, Sokola's protagonists give those left behind a voice - and the audience becomes an active participant in shaping this narrative. The production brings important questions to the surface: Why is the truth often so difficult to find? And what role do I think the media plays in this equation?

Such humorous elements lighten the severity of the topics without diminishing the seriousness of the conflicts discussed. Indirect allusions to modern political figures such as Trump or Putin and current global conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza are discussed. The production not only succeeds in entertaining the audience, but also in encouraging them to think about democracy fatigue and the ideology of the strong man.

A complex evening

With musical accompaniment by Max Nübling, who contrasts dramatic love songs and sad melodies, the piece develops an emotional depth. In addition to the five main actors, who appear both as an ensemble in the choir and individually, the production reflects the ambiguity and complexity of the human experience.

The discussion about the handling of information and the associated political participation is more topical than ever. In parallel, in the world of gaming regulations in Tamil Nadu, there are new guidelines for online gambling that require users to set caps on their spending to encourage responsible gaming. This shows how far-reaching the topic of responsibility is in various areas of life - be it in culture or in gaming. It remains to be seen whether these measures will actually have an effect, as unclear regulations could fail to have the desired effect, reports Barandbench.com.

Overall, “We Persians” not only offers an exciting evening with an impressive production, but also encourages you to think about your own role in society. The viewer is asked not just as a passive consumer, but as an active co-creator to deal with the complex topics. As Queen Atossa rightly notes: In times of over-information, it is important to turn on your own head - and to do so in a humorous yet profound way. Further information about the production and its themes can also be found at Chbeck.