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Kehlmann's Easter”: Satirical look at the pandemic and its consequences
Daniel Kehlmann's play “Easter” at the Josefstadt Theater reflects the pandemic and its social absurdities.
Kehlmann's Easter”: Satirical look at the pandemic and its consequences
Daniel Kehlmann, one of the most famous authors in German-language literature, has created a piece with his latest work “Easter” that reflects the absurdities and tragedies of the pandemic. Premiered at the Wiener Kammerspiele, the piece deals with the first Easter holidays during the Corona lockdown in 2020. “Easter” is described as a long slapstick that contains both humorous and thoughtful moments. Chancellor Kurz appears in strange cycling shorts, which makes for some amusing scenes. But underneath lies a critical examination of human nature during a crisis. This is reported by the Small newspaper.
In “Easter” Kehlmann refers to the surreal experiences of people in times of isolation and control measures. The play questions the passivity of citizens during the pandemic. Kehlmann was forced to address the rules and absurdities that came with the lockdown, such as the question of how often you were allowed to go to the supermarket. The piece reflects criticisms of society's willingness to place obedience above critical thinking. As in an article in Stage Magazine mentioned, Chancellor Kurz's statement about a “resurrection” after Easter is seen as tasteless and poetic.
A satirical look at the pandemic
The work not only offers entertainment, but also a deeper reflection on themes such as isolation, responsibility and human weaknesses in times of crisis. A darkly humorous picture is painted of a society that is in a state of emergency. In a multifaceted game of absurd and Kafkaesque elements, Kehlmann examines the effects of the pandemic and takes a critical look at the fate of people who search for the truthfulness of their experiences. This deeper social consideration is presented the Theater in der Josefstadt.
“Easter” is Kehlmann's fourth premiere at the Theater in der Josefstadt, after he previously enjoyed great success with works such as “The Mentor”, “Christmas Eve” and “The Journey of the Lost”. The preparatory work for this piece began in spring 2020, when the pandemic was just beginning and the world came to a standstill in many aspects. Kehlmann's approach to capturing the difficulties and absurdities of the pandemic through the lens of theater shows once again that he has a good knack for relevant topics that make the audience think.