by Walter Moers
Stage adaptation by Sybille Meier, Anna Veress and Daniel Neumann
Family spectacle
Director: Viktor Bodo
World premiere on 28/11/2025 at the SchauSpielHaus
Young Hildegunst von Mythenmetz wants to become a famous author one day. But he doesn't know how. When a perfect manuscript falls into his hands, he sets out to find the mysterious author and learn from him. His journey takes him to Bookholm, the legendary "City of Dreaming Books." There, books aren't just exciting, funny, or instructive; they're alive, can bite, and can even poison. The deeper Hildegunst delves into the secrets of this fascinating place, the more dangerous it becomes for him. Eventually, he ends up in the catacombs deep beneath the city. This labyrinth is home not only to peace-loving booklings, but also to wild book hunters and the mysterious Shadow King. Will Hildegunst survive all his adventures? Will he reach his goal?
Walter Moers's fantastical journey into the realm of books is one of the most beautiful and greatest declarations of love for reading and literature. "The City of Dreaming Books" was on the bestseller lists for months and has been translated into many languages. In its story brimming with ideas, Hungarian director Viktor Bodo has discovered a congenial source material, which he will stage as a fast-paced theatrical spectacle for the whole family. Goosebumps and laughter guaranteed. Ages ten and up.
With: Katja Danowski, Yorck Dippe, Ute Hannig, Jan-Peter Kampwirth, Alberta von Poelnitz, Jan Thümer, Michael Weber and Olaf Rausch
Dancers: Daria Barbone, Alessia Marra, Clara Bähr, Alanna Reimpell Bravo, Rodolpho Sagbo, Edwin E. Sanchez and Cristina Valno
Director: Viktor Bodo
Stage: Zita Schnábel
Costumes: Eszter Kálmán
Music: Klaus von Heydenaber
Musicians: Daniel Buch, Sebastian Hoffmann, Stefan Rager, Sönke Rust and Klaus von Heydenaber
Sound design: Gábor Keresztes
Media design: Vince Varga
Choreography: Emese Cuhorka
Lighting: Tamás Bányai
Dramaturgy: Sybille Meier, Anna Veress and Daniel Neumann
