In this play, there are no rehearsals and no director. The actor has absolutely no prior knowledge of the text. He steps onto the stage, is handed a sealed envelope containing the script, and discovers the play without any preparation at exactly the same moment as you. What begins as a tongue-in-cheek game quickly becomes a gripping exploration of power, obedience, freedom and the power of theatre itself.
Because the Iranian author Nassim Soleimanpour was not allowed to leave his country, he wrote this play and sent it on a journey around the world. It has been a resounding success: the envelope has already been opened more than 3,000 times. Not only have Hollywood stars such as Whoopi Goldberg and Nathan Lane taken part in the experiment, but also leading German actors such as Christoph Maria Herbst.
Now, Theater Colonia is bringing this fascinating concept to Cologne in a series of performances. Mohammad-Ali Behboudi will kick things off. The multi-award-winning Iranian-German actor, founder of the Welt Theater Köln and known from the TV series Tatort as well as numerous major theatre stages, will take on the challenge of the sealed envelope this evening.
What makes this evening special is that, as absolute ignorance is a mandatory prerequisite, he is only allowed to perform this piece once in his lifetime. Every performance is therefore completely unique. Anyone wishing to see Behboudi on stage in this format will not get a second chance.
So secure your tickets now for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
€15 (€17.00 incl. fees) Concessions (school pupils, students and Kölnpass holders)
€20 (€22.50 incl. fees) Standard
€30 (€33.50 incl. fees) Soliticket (Support our project with a €10 donation)
€10 (€11.50 incl. fees) Special ticket for holders of a Festival Pass Standard