markus&markustheaterkollektiv: Die Brieffreundschaft II

Recap.

In 2021, *Die Brieffreundschaft* premiered at the Sophiensäle. The markus&markustheaterkollektiv established pen-palships – with four women serving life sentences for murder. The correspondence was the sole means by which the production was jointly developed and, at the same time, a central stylistic element.

The most frequently asked question after the performances is, ‘Do you still write letters to your pen pals?’ Yes.

A great deal has changed since 2021: in the world, in the penal system – and in the lives of the people who embarked on this unusual experiment back then. In *Die Brieffreundschaft II*, we see what happens during five invisible years in prison. What does a span of five years amount to when the horizon is a life sentence? Whilst 1,825 days have passed for us since then – their annual letters state, as they did back then and still do today, how many days the pen pals have already served until their release: 0. And how many days remain until their release: death.

Anyone who already knows Amber, Lisa Jo, Maureen and April will recognise them – and everyone else will get to know them for the first time. As in every new series, a new character joins the cast: Olivia. She asks: ‘Have you ever got into a car after one or two drinks and then driven home? And did you arrive home safely?’

I didn’t.

(In German, with English surtitles)