Name: IT WAS TWENTY TO NINE
Start: 2026-09-11T22:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-12T00:00:00+02:00
Location: Orgelfabrik Halle

A mysterious birthday party full of secrets and tension

With IT WAS TWENTY TO NINE, the Theater in der Orgelfabrik brings a new, unconventional play to Karlsruhe-Durlach, loosely based on Charles Dickens and condensed for the stage by Gabriele Michel and Franco Rosa. The story takes us into a nearly decaying house, where Miss Havisham lives with her adopted daughter Estella, surrounded by stopped clocks, old grievances, and a past that cannot be closed off.

A house like a frozen moment

The material already unfolds a special theater atmosphere: a space between decay and memory, inheritance disputes and familial greed. The dramaturgy thrives on open questions, underlying threats, and that grotesque tension that grows from the unspoken. When relatives like the Pockets, a lawyer, and a young man from the village collide, the stage experience condenses into a play about power, money, and hidden truths.

Charles Dickens reflected in a modern production

The source carries the world of the great English storyteller within it, yet the Karlsruhe version relies on a distinct theatrical signature. The Theater in der Orgelfabrik has been known for years for its self-written plays with a gruesome-grotesque tone; precisely from this, this production derives its strength. Amidst crime atmosphere, family tragedy, and black humor, an evening arises that connects literary origins with vibrant stage art.

Why this play piques curiosity

The motif of time is at the center: What happened fifty years ago at twenty to nine? Who has something to hide? Is there a will? Such questions propel the plot forward and give the performance its pull. For the audience, a mixture of mystery, acting art, and concentrated tension arc unfolds, remaining open until the end. It is precisely this combination of classic storytelling and timeless family intrigue that makes the production compelling.

Orgelfabrik Hall: a small space, great impact

The Orgelfabrik Hall is an unusual theater space with normally 99 seats, making it ideal for immediate closeness between the stage and the audience. The hall on the ground floor is accessible via a disabled lift; nearby are the stops Durlach Schlossplatz and Durlach Friedrichschule. Also, parking facilities like the Scheck-In-Center and the Amalienbadgarage are within reach. Thus, the theater visit is not only culturally enriching but also practically pleasant.

Conclusion: An evening for lovers of intense stage moments

IT WAS TWENTY TO NINE promises a multifaceted stage experience with a riddle character, literary undertones, and a touch of eerie elegance. Those who appreciate theater with atmosphere, fine tension, and narrative depth should not miss this evening at the Orgelfabrik.