The end of the circle

The documentary play weaves together the voices of three people affected by mental health crises – poetic, haunting, yet with moments of lightness and humour. As a Berlin theatre collective, we are breaking new ground with this work, both in terms of content and form, and aim to raise awareness of mental health issues.


Mental illness is rapidly increasing – and yet our society remains silent. There is still a lot of shame, ignorance and fear associated with talking openly about depression, eating disorders or anxiety. ‘Das Ende des Kreises’ (The End of the Circle) wants to change that – with an artistic language that touches without sugarcoating.

It is an evening about what we often cannot talk about – but urgently need to talk about. A theatre evening that gives those affected a voice. One that tells real stories – unvarnished, poetic, humorous. And one that leads the audience to a point where fear of contact perhaps ceases – and empathy begins.

Especially in an urban environment like Berlin, where many realities of life collide and loneliness, pressure to perform and excessive demands often escalate unnoticed, there is a need for spaces for honest, artistic engagement with mental health.

The production

Three voices, three life paths, three perspectives on mental crises – woven together into a dense collage of monologues, inner images and original interview excerpts. The basis: real texts by people with depression, anxiety disorders and eating disorders. Diary excerpts, clinic poetry, therapy prose.

The three actors meet on a circular stage – a space that visualises inner chaos and outer isolation. Their voices intertwine, break out, collide – and seek a direction beyond the endless loop. The development of the play was accompanied by psychological expert advice.

The performances take place in cooperation with support organisations, including the Berlin Crisis Service. Information materials and an opportunity for audience discussion will be available for anyone who would like to explore the topic further or in greater depth. The production is sponsored by the Heidehof Stiftung GmbH.