The drama of Borschemich: loss of home and perseverance in the coal crisis

The drama of Borschemich: loss of home and perseverance in the coal crisis

In Borschemich, a small, old village that will soon fall victim to the Garzweiler II open-cast brown coal mine, the premiere of the play “The Pit”, which is based on the novel written by Ingrid Bachér, is celebrated. It is a moving tale about the fate of people who have lost their homes and the devastating impact that corporate activities can have on local communities.

The story follows Simon and his family as they try to come to terms with the destruction of their family farm. She reflects on the power constellations between the profit-driven industry and the people affected, who often feel powerless. Ingrid Bachér, who worked on this novel for over two decades, sheds light on current and explosive topics that have increasingly come into the public eye in recent years, especially due to the protest scenes in Lützerath 2023.

Details about the stage version

The stage adaptation was developed jointly by Ingrid Bachér and Mirjam Neidhart. Neidhart took over the direction, while Marion Eisele was responsible for the set design and costumes. The musical background comes from Oliver Krämer and the dramaturgy is directed by Anna Gubiani.

The ensemble consists of talented actors: Kristin Göpfert plays the role of Lale, while Lara Haucke can be seen as Magda and other roles. Sabine Christiane Dotzer takes on the roles of Kerstin, Else and Barbara, while Florian Stamm takes on the role of Simon. Martin Theuer, Christian A. Koch and Kim Patrick Biele also contribute to the performance and thus complete the outstanding ensemble.

Upcoming performances

Audiences in Esslingen have the opportunity to experience the exciting production. The next performances will take place on October 12th and November 9th, 20th and 22nd, followed by further dates on December 17th and 19th and finally on February 7th. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

At a time when the treatment of villages in the brown coal mining area is increasingly being questioned, “The Pit” not only speaks about individual fates, but also raises questions about our way of life and the consequences of our economic actions. The production gives those affected a voice and invites the audience to reflect on the profound social-psychological and political dimensions of the issue. This performance promises not only entertainment, but also an important discourse about our values ​​and priorities in today's society.

Further information on this topic can be found in a detailed report on theaterkompass.de.