How long does the performance last and is there a break?

The performance lasts about 100 minutes without a break; the end is planned for around 21:10.

When does the show start?

It starts on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 19:30 at Schauspielhaus Bochum.

How is getting there and parking arranged?

Public transport to the Schauspielhaus stop with trams 308 or 318 and several bus lines; parking in parking garage P9 on Hubertusstraße with theater rate.

Is access barrier-free and are there wheelchair spaces?

The Schauspielhaus is accessible; there are two wheelchair spaces and a barrier-free toilet facility on the ground floor.

In what language is it performed?

It is performed in German; the version is based on Tiago Rodrigues' text in German translation.

Is there a talk with the audience after the performance?

For selected dates, a talk with the audience is announced; information for each evening is available in the theater's play schedule.

Catarina – Schauspielhaus Bochum Performance 2026

Name: Catarina or The Beauty of Killing Fascists
Start: 2026-04-11T21:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-04-11T23:10:00+02:00
Location: Schauspielhaus Bochum

A theater evening that puts morality to the test – right in Bochum

A Portuguese family, decades-long rituals, and the question of the legitimization of violence: Tiago Rodrigues’ successful play comes as a German-language premiere at the Schauspielhaus Bochum. Director Mateja Koležnik sharpens the focus on responsibility, memory, and political stance with precise staging and intense acting – a stage experience that electrifies the theater atmosphere.

Dramaturgy with bite: Family celebration, finale, and dramatic tension

The evening starts like a summer festival – tablecloths, pig's feet from a family recipe, sparkling nostalgia. But the stage set tilts into twilight as the old ritual becomes tangible: On the anniversary of the murder of Catarina Eufémia in 1954, a fascist is shot. The youngest suddenly refuse tradition and bloodlust. A spiral of moral questions, escalation, and subtle breaks emerges dramaturgically, in which every detail of the directorial work seems charged.

Precision of direction: Mateja Koležnik's clear lines

Koležnik relies on psychological accuracy instead of ostentatious effect. From the family ritual, she forms a dense character study that shifts the discourse on democracy, resistance, and civil courage from the rehearsal room to the audience chamber. The lighting atmosphere varies between warm intimacy and cold focus, and the acoustics allow pauses to speak – staging as dissection.

Acting art at eye level

An ensemble of distinction physically, verbally, and musically leads the debate precisely: nuances, breath, glances – this is where stance is performed. The audience reaction is correspondingly strong: a political theater evening that doesn't let go because it allows for dissent.

Context and relevance

Since being discussed internationally in Avignon, Rodrigues’ text unfolds special force in Bochum: Between memorial culture and contemporary politics, the morality constantly shifts. Press voices highlight the urgency and craftsmanship; the play compels positioning without providing simple answers.

Voices of the fans

The reactions of theater lovers are clear: Catarina captivates the audience.

Instagram: A visitor writes: 'A staging that makes debates palpable – impressively performed.'
Facebook: A theatergoer says: 'Concentrated ensemble, clear directing concept – political theater with depth.'

Conclusion

What can visitors expect? An intense, 100-minute evening without a break, that invites a debate on ethics, history, and the present with a strong ensemble, strict direction, and smart dramaturgy. Experience this artistically precise, emotionally demanding production live.