GERD, ich bleibe bei dir

Pick up where you left off. Fill in the blanks. Fragment the body. Piece together your name from letters. Write me out of stories and reclaim the gaps. Draw closer to a person who is no longer here.

Gerd, what do you think of my name?
He doesn’t answer.
Of course he doesn’t answer.

GERD is a performance about Gerd Katter, a transmasculine person who, in the early 20th century, was one of the first to officially apply for a change of legal gender. Based on Katter’s essay *Blau*, Biba Oskar Nass has developed a text that blends documentary and fictional elements. The production brings this text together with archival material, autobiographical audio recordings by Gerd Katter, and voices from the queer community, and—following *anastasius - don’t call me by my deadname* —marks the third collaboration between Mare Kraus and Ria Unverzagt. 

A production by FAUL&HÄSSLICH.
Supported by the NRW State Office for the Independent Performing Arts and the City of Cologne. Featuring archival material from the Magnus Hirschfeld Society

Premiere: October 2, 2026, 7:30 p.m., Barnes Crossing, Cologne
Additional performances:
October 3, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
October 4, 2026, 7:30 p.m. (Followed by a discussion with Biba Oskar Nass)
 

Text: Biba Oskar Nass
Stage adaptation: Mare Kraus, Ria Unverzagt
Production / Concept: Mare Kraus, Ria Unverzagt
Direction: Mare Kraus, Ria Unverzagt, Malin Assmus
Cast: Mare Kraus, Malin Assmus
Set / Costumes: Annika Garling
Sound / Lighting Design: Vito Oliveira Azevedo
Graphic Design: Peter Kraus
Photography: Tizian Hollweck
 

Information about ticket prices: 
Prices are based on self-assessment, and proof of income is not required. Since we rely on ticket sales for revenue, we’d appreciate it if those who can afford to pay more would purchase a support ticket. 

Accessibility Information: 
Barnes Crossing is wheelchair accessible and features an accessible restroom. Performances are presented in spoken German. Please note that the performance includes backlighting, strobe-like lighting effects, and loud music.

CONTENT NOTE / Performance Content: 
Transphobia, dysphoria, self-harm, (family) trauma, domestic violence, blood, death, addiction, use of discriminatory language

Please assess for yourself whether you want to and/or are able to expose yourself to this content.