Der Raub der Sabinerinnen

“The Rape of the Sabine Women—A Farce”

There’s Mr. Gollwitz, the high school teacher! When he was a student, he wrote a play—a “youthful folly,” as he calls it—“The Rape of the Sabine Women.” And—there’s the theater director, Emanuela Striese, who’s struggling with numerous problems within the troupe and is also in a precarious financial situation; she can’t pay her people their fees and has to book loss after loss. What a familiar situation, isn’t it?

A last-ditch effort—the city’s dignitaries are to be turned into patrons. During her visit to Gollwitz, Striese learns of his youthful folly and decides to stage the play’s world premiere…

The term “Schwank,” as the Austrians use it, can be translated as “comedy” and is a prime example of a “hilariously funny” stage play, a true folk play. It’s always funny and witty, but not very didactic. The play invites the audience to view themselves and human nature with humor.

Should the Frauenzimmertheater Leipzig ever fail to infect the audience with this cheerful mood, there’s always the typical Austrian consolation: “Oh, go on, go to hell and go take a shit!”

Adaptation and Direction: Ev Schreiber

Cast: Nathalie Jaworski, Antje Poser, Josephine Rab