by Erich Kästner
Duration: 1 hour
Four years after the Second World War, when the United Nations has just been founded, Erich Kästner writes another children's book: while the world is plagued by wars, the world's powerful seem to have nothing better to do than discuss meeting agendas and protocols. Oskar the elephant, Leopold the giraffe and Alois the lion have had enough. If humanity can't get a grip on its problems, the only option is to take matters into their own hands. A large conference of animals from all continents is to ensure that words are finally followed by deeds. Children are also invited as guests of honor, because the goal is their future: a treaty to protect the especially important little people. As a result of this alliance, the politicians have to learn that one should never underestimate the courage and certainly not the ingenuity of animal and young contemporaries ... In his classic children's book, Erich Kästner reminds us both emphatically and lovingly that the first step towards solving a problem, both large and small, lies in the willingness to engage in dialog between people and cultures. An intense plea!
The young director Verena Nagel studied at the Akademie für Darstellende Kunst Baden-Württemberg and has worked at the theaters in Senftenberg and Marburg, among others. Her productions captivate with astonishingly topical approaches that skillfully bring the political core of the works to a head.
