"The Last Judgment" by Ödön Horváth at the Schauspielhaus Graz

The stationmaster Hudetz is known for his reliability, but then he misses the crucial moment for a signal as he is distracted by the innkeeper's daughter Anna. Two trains collide, resulting in the deaths of eighteen passengers. Anna and Hudetz try to deflect any suspicion from themselves with false statements. In the town, the train accident becomes the starting point for a variety of suspicions and accusations. Horváth, whose birthday will be celebrated for the 125th time in 2026, wrote during a time of rising fascism about "ordinary people" in existentially threatening situations. His compelling play portrays a society marked by narrow-mindedness, malice, and reservations. Economic and political instability intensify mutual distrust and create fertile ground for rumors and incitement. In this climate of uncertainty, the web of culpable connections continues to expand. Director David Bösch explores the question of individual responsibility within society and brings Horváth's engagement with guilt and conscience to the stage through finely drawn psychological characterizations. The almost crime-like atmosphere reveals dynamics of opinion formation and reflects the danger that blind and frenzied reactions pose to both individuals and entire societies.

Public accessibility: Bus 30 | Stop: Freiheitsplatz/Schauspielhaus Tickets