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 summer theater full of mysteries, inheritances, and dark family secrets

With IT WAS TWENTY TO NINE, the theater in the organ factory in Karlsruhe presents a new stage work developed specifically for this venue. The production by Franco Rosa unfolds a creepy-grotesque theater atmosphere based on the work of Gabriele Michel and Franco Rosa, where Miss Havisham, Estella, and a tangled family web of greed, expectation, and open questions meet.

A story from the shadows of Dickens, retold for the present

The ensemble's preparatory work connects to Charles Dickens and Great Expectations, yet remains consistently in the unique cosmos of the house. At the center stands a nearly dilapidated house, whose stopped clocks already set the dramatic core motif: stagnation, memory, and a secret that endures for decades. The performance derives its charm from this, as it combines literary allusion with lively stage art.

Miss Havisham, Estella, and the family as a dark social panorama

The characters appear as if from a precisely crafted ensemble cabinet: Camilla and Raymond Pocket, the money-hungry George, the bitterly waiting Sarah Pocket, and Philip from the village form a web of interests, hopes, and tactical maneuvers. When Mister Jaggers announces a large inheritance, the stage action tips into a mix of farce, suspicion, and psychological tension. Thus, an evening arises that not only tells a story but also makes the mechanics of desire and power visible.

The organ factory as an atmospheric venue

The organ factory hall is regarded as a characterful place for summer theater in Karlsruhe. The city of Karlsruhe describes the hall on the ground floor as barrier-free accessible via a disabled lift; it also points out the special theatrical use of the historic industrial architecture. This very mix of proximity, space, and concentration shapes the stage experience: not large distance theater, but immediate presence, clear acoustics, and a theatrical atmosphere where every gesture matters.

Performance time, cast, and artistic signature

The production is designated as a world premiere and runs in summer 2026 with multiple dates until the end of September. The theater in the organ factory has relied on self-written pieces with grotesque, creepy, and literarily inspired motifs for decades; this evening stands in that tradition. The mix of direction, lighting, and ensemble work promises a delicately balanced interplay between mystery, irony, and emotional resonance.

Conclusion

IT WAS TWENTY TO NINE promises an unusual theater evening between Dickens atmosphere, family intrigue, and dark humor. Anyone wishing to experience Karlsruhe summer theater with literary depth, strong character drawing, and a special venue should mark this date and discover the performance live.