© Thomas Aurin

Pferd frisst Hut

HERBERT GRÖNEMEYER, HERBERT FRITSCH, THOMAS WISE, CHOR DES THEATER BASEL, BOCHUMER SYMPHONIKER

Deutsche Erstaufführung

Music theatre
11.09.-15.09.2024
Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord

German slapstick, operetta, musical — all in one

Laugh-out-loud dialogue, an outrageous plot and Grönemeyer’s songs – the musical comedy of mistaken identity Pferd frisst Hut (literally: “Horse Eats Hat”) has a lot going for it. This version by Herbert Grönemeyer (music) and Herbert Fritsch (direction) brings Eugène Labiche’s successful critique of social habits The Italian Straw Hat bang up to date. Its rapid succession of daft and absurd scenes produces an anarchic piece of musical theatre that defies categorisation to invent a genre all its own. Songs that are potential earworms rub up against orchestral passages, and torrents of words meet moments of nostalgia. Herbert Grönemeyer has specially composed new songs with sharp lyrics. Herbert Fritsch tempts the audience into a typical world – for him – of absurd humour and slapstick gags. Comic and frivolous concerns lead to a surprising finale. After its successful world premiere at Theater Basel, the show now comes to the Ruhrtriennale, bringing with it anarchy, social criticism and loads of fun!

Produced by Theater Basel and co-produced by Komische Oper Berlin.

Musical comedy based on Eugène Labiche's "An Italian Straw Hat" in an adaptation by Sabrina Zwach.
Musical incorporation by Herbert Grönemeyer.
Performance rights: S. Fischer Verlag GmbH, Frankfurt am Mai

„I have devoted myself almost exclusively to the study of the Bourgeois. This animal offers countless possibilities; it is inexhaustible.“
Eugène Labiche
  • Die Darstellenden Etezadzadeh, Roumi, Nell auf der Bühne
    © Thomas Aurin
  • Die Darstellenden Dilewski, Friebel, Clamer, Nell und Roumi in ihren Kostümen auf der Bühne, umgeben von weiteren Personen
    © Thomas Aurin
  • Die Darstellenden Wild, Breitfuss, Roumi und Nell in ihren Kostümen, die sich hinter einem kleinen Buchsbaum verstecken.
    © Thomas Aurin
  • Die Darstellenden Wild, Roumi und Etezadzadeh, im Hintergrund Personen, die unter einer Vielzahl von Regenschirmen versteckt werden.
    © Thomas Aurin
  • Die Darstellenden Anderer, Roumi und Nell auf der Bühne in ihren Kostümen
    © Thomas Aurin
  • Cast

    • Composition
      • Herbert Grönemeyer
    • Musical direction
      • Thomas Wise
    • Direction and Stage Design
      • Herbert Fritsch
    • Associate Stage Design
      • Oscar Mateo Grunert
    • Costume Design
      • Geraldine Arnold
    • Arrangeur
      • Thomas Meadowcroft
    • Choir director
      • Michael Clark
    • Lighting Design
      • Cornelius Hunziker
    • Dramaturgy
      • Roman Reeger
    • With
      • Christopher Nell (Fardinard) ,
      • Hubert Wild (Nonancourt) ,
      • Florian Anderer (Emile Tavernier / Baronin von Champigny) ,
      • Gottfried Breitfuss (Vezinet / Baronin von Champigny ) ,
      • Sarah Bauerett (Clara) ,
      • Jasmin Etezadzadeh (Bobin) ,
      • Nanny Friebel (Anais) ,
      • Julius Engelbach (Felix) ,
      • Cecilia Roumi (Hélène) ,
      • Klaus Brömmelmeier (Tardiveau / Beauperthuis )
      • Chor des Theater Basel ,
      • Bochumer Symphoniker

    Visit

    • Language

      German with English surtitles

    • Supporters

      Funded by Brost Stiftung.

    • Run time

      3 h

    • Age guidance

      Recommended from 12 years

    • Sign language translation
    • Happy Sundays
    • Bring Your Friends

    Directions and arrival

    Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord
    Emscherstr. 71
    47137 Duisburg

  • Public transport
  • Directions
  • Bike rental metropolradruhr
  • Accessibility at the venue

  • Access
  • Accessible toilets
  • Accessible parking
  • Hearing support
  • Sign language translation
  • Festival team on site