© Jochen Quast
A musical by The Tiger Lillies, Julian Crouch and Phelim McDermott, based on motifs from Der Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffmann
Heinrich Hoffmann’s Der Struwwelpeter, written in 1844, is one of the most successful and controversial German children’s books – and has made generations of readers shudder. Together with theatre-makers Julian Crouch and Phelim McDermott, British cult band The Tiger Lillies have transformed this notorious children’s book into a multi-award-winning “junk opera” (as they call it) for adults, evoking the music of Tom Waits (The Black Rider) and the films of Tim Burton.
With eerily beautiful ballads, an exhilarating blend of circus and rock music, and pitch-black humour, the production takes the stories of Suppen-Kasper, Zappel-Philipp, Hans-Guck-in-die-Luft and all these “naughty” children to anarchic extremes. “Not for the faint-hearted,” warns the director of the freak show in his opening monologue, before asking parents: “What monsters lie hidden beneath our thoughts?”
INFO
Martyn Jacques – music and lyrics
Andreas Marber – German dialogue; songs in English
Landestheater Detmold
Matthias Flake – musical direction
Gustav Rueb – direction
Christiane Hilmer – set design
Oktavia Herbst – costumes
Patrick Hellenbrand, Sebastian Zumpe, Stella Hanheide, Manuela Stüßer, Ewa Noack, Finn Nachfolger, Elias Nagel and others – cast
Members of the Symphonic Orchestra – band
6.45 pm: Introduction to the production
Recommended for ages 14 and over
No interval
Followed by a post-show discussion with director Gustav Rueb.
An introductory podcast about the production and a programme booklet are available for download.
Part of the Leverkusen Jazz Festival.
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More InformationFrequently Asked Questions about the Venue
How do I get to Forum Leverkusen?
The Forum Leverkusen is centrally located in the Wiesdorf district, making it easy to get there quickly and hassle-free. It is just a short walk from Leverkusen-Mitte railway station and the Wiesdorf bus station. We therefore recommend travelling by bus or train. For those arriving by car: the Forum has its own multi-storey car park with 380 spaces. However, the car park at the Forum fills up quickly, particularly during major events. If there is a traffic jam leading up to the entrance to the underground car park, please make sure to use one of the other car parks in the immediate vicinity.
Further information is available on the Forum’s website.
Where can I park at Forum Leverkusen?
The Forum has its own multi-storey car park with 380 spaces. However, the car park fills up quickly, particularly during large events. We therefore recommend reserving a parking space in advance. If traffic is already backing up before the entrance to the underground car park, please make sure to use one of the other car parks in the immediate vicinity.
You can find an overview of parking options around the Forum on the Forum’s website.
Is the Leverkusen Forum accessible?
Yes, the Forum Leverkusen is accessible. In the Main Hall, for example, there are four wheelchair spaces. Access is available via two stairlifts. We recommend booking wheelchair spaces in advance.
Further information on accessibility at the Forum Leverkusen is available on the website.
Can I bring my coat into the event?
Not in all cases. To ensure that all guests can evacuate quickly in the event of an emergency, the following items MUST NOT be brought into the Forum’s event rooms: Winter coats and jackets, large travel bags and rucksacks, booster seats and cushions (unfortunately, due to the folding mechanism of the seats, medical seat cushions are also not permitted in the Great Hall), pushchairs and walking frames, and other items (such as umbrellas) that could pose a tripping hazard. You are welcome to leave these items at the cloakroom. For events organised by the City of Leverkusen, Culture and City Marketing, this service is free of charge. For other events, the cloakroom fee is €1.50.
Is there catering available at the events held in the Forum?
Yes. For larger events at the Forum, our caterer provides delicious snacks or fresh finger food, as well as refreshing drinks. This allows visitors to enjoy a bite to eat or a speciality coffee even before the event begins. After the event, there is usually an opportunity to raise a glass with a refreshing drink. Further information is available on the Forum’s website.
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