The Dark Day of Village Judge Adam
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 8 p.m., the Chawwerusch Theater at Oberstein Castle will present a contemporary adaptation of Heinrich von Kleist’s classic play “The Broken Jug.”
In Walter Menzlaw’s production, three actors recount the darkest day in the life of village judge Adam: a headache, a missing wig—and a delicate court case, strictly supervised by the city’s judicial authorities. Until yesterday, widow Marthe’s little world was in order: her daughter Eve was engaged, and the inherited jug was intact. But Eve was seen in the garden that evening with her fiancé Ruprecht, and shortly afterward the jug was broken—so Marthe takes the matter to court. Adam is tasked with resolving the case and saving Eve’s honor.
Because of Adam’s evasiveness and his attempts to keep the truth hidden, in the end not only is the jug in pieces, but so is trust in the justice system. A closer look at the essence of the story reveals the dark underbelly of idyllic village life: power is secretly abused for personal gain. And yet, “The Broken Jug” remains a comedy—Kleist’s wit consistently creates hilarious situations.
Due to a lack of parking at the castle, a free shuttle service will be available starting at 7:00 p.m. from the “Schlossstraße” bus stop. In case of inclement weather, the event will take place at the Idar-Oberstein Exhibition Center.
A Mental Movie for Your Ears
On Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 7 p.m., the Messe Idar-Oberstein will host “SOS 1928! – Men Who Dream of Flying,” a fascinating live radio play by the Mienenspiel theater group.
Rome, 1928: Mussolini discovers a completely new medium for his propaganda: the radio. But the stories broadcast over the airwaves need daring heroes. So the opportunistic Captain Nobile and his crew embark on a megalomaniacal venture without further ado: a journey to the North Pole by airship. It quickly becomes clear that between Madonna and Mussolini, eggnog and polar bears, communists and cannibals, there’s more than just a little turbulence ahead. And yet Nobile is just a small man who dreams of flying.
The radio play is a visual experience for the ears. Together with a sound effects artist, an atmospheric lighting and sound design, and the Kantorei Choir of Obere Nahe, five narrators bring the story to life. “SOS 1928!” is based on true events and inspired by the oldest surviving radio play in the German language. The Theater Mienenspiel transforms the material into a modern, fast-paced comedy.
The Rescue of the Rock Church
The Heimspiel theater group, in cooperation with the Kunstverein Obere Nahe, will perform the play “Felsenkirche 1926” six times at the original venue. From Friday through Sunday, September 4–6 and 11–13, 2026, the landmark of the city of Idar-Oberstein will be transformed into a theater stage, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and on Sundays at 6:00 p.m.
One hundred years ago, the Obersteiner Rock Church was in danger of collapsing in the foreseeable future. Structural assessments had revealed that the outer wall was completely dilapidated; over the centuries, water constantly seeping into the building and the ground had washed the mortar out of the cracks in the wall.
It is thanks to the courageous efforts of Walther Dörr, the then District President of Oldenburg and a native of Idar, that Oberstein’s landmark was preserved. Dörr tirelessly raised funds for the renovation of the church and the restoration of the precious altarpiece, whose significance in art history was only made clear through his dedication. Dörr and the architect he commissioned, Wilhelm Heilig, were largely responsible for giving the church its current appearance and character.
The play “Felsenkirche 1926” not only depicts Dörr’s struggle to preserve the church and the fierce disputes and quarrels that accompanied it, but also takes the audience on a journey through the turbulent town of Oberstein during the “Golden Twenties”—a period that wasn’t always quite so glamorous.
The rest of the program
- On Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., the Theaterkiste will present Frank Puchalla’s play “Habenichts & Tunichtgut” in the Göttenbach Auditorium. This funny and heartwarming story revolves around money and what really matters in life. The play, suitable for all ages, is recommended for everyone 6 years and older.
- On Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m., the Ensemble metamorph will present the production “The Roaring Twenties” on stage at the Göttenbach Auditorium. This blend of silent film, revue, and avant-garde art immerses the audience completely in the exuberant spirit of that era. The live music will be performed by Kathrin Isabelle Klein, Achim Seyler, and other members of the ensemble.
Information and Tickets
For more information about the program, visit www.idar-oberstein.de/theatersommer. Tickets are available in advance at www.ticket-regional.de and at participating ticket outlets. THEATERSOMMER is a festival organized by the City of Idar-Oberstein and sponsored by Kreissparkasse Birkenfeld, Effgen Schleiftechnik, OIE AG, the Bürkle Foundation, and the State of Rhineland-Palatinate.