State Theatre: Mephisto

Klaus Mann's most famous novel from 1936 tells the story of the actor Henrik Höfgen, who, in order to advance his career, allows himself to become the figurehead of the National Socialists. Inspired by the life story of the actor Gustaf Gründgens, who, while many artists of that time showed solidarity with the victims of censorship and persecution, was supported by Hermann Göring and was appointed as the director of the Berlin Schauspielhaus between 1934 and 1944, the eldest son of Thomas Mann wrote a novel that not only illustrates the susceptibility of humans but must also be read as a testament to his time. A testament from which we can still learn a great deal today...