Totenwache

In light of the fact that formerly familiar customs surrounding death are increasingly disappearing in this country, the production also looks at traditions from other cultures.

Forgotten and hushed-up aspects come to light, as do new questions - such as: Who actually watches over whom?

Totenwache is the conclusion of a trilogy

After Passagiere (2023), which was dedicated to the favourite objects of old people, and Die Anprobe (2024), which focused on the last dress and ideas about the afterlife, the PAPILLONS are now exploring what contemporary collective mourning work can look like. The result is creative, life-affirming rituals and unusual encounters...

Once again, children and elderly actors meet in tandem teams - and overcome the hurdles of forgetting together.


The theatre ensemble PAPILLONS is supported by the Stiftung Unionhilfswerk Berlin. Totenwache is already the eighth production by the ensemble, which has a combined total of 887 years. PAPILLONS is the ‘extraordinary’ and “wondrous” (SZ-Magazin) theatre ensemble in the ‘Am Kreuzberg’ care home with 10 actors, mostly suffering from dementia, six children, professional artists and volunteers, founded in 2016 by Christine Vogt.

Premiere:
Thursday, 3 July 2025, 6 pm

Further performances:
4 / 5 July and 10 / 11 / 12 July 2025, each at 6 pm, at F2 Theater im Pflegewohnheim, Fidicinstraße 2, 10965 Berlin


Language: German