René Pollesch - Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz

The stage curtain is made of floral wallpaper. Behind it, the stage is empty, except for a few cardboard boxes. We learn that Marie-Ange has left the house, taking the furniture with her, including the chaise longue and the Louis XIV armchair. Is this a farce? 'Ein Chor irrt sich gewaltig', written and directed by René Pollesch, is a mixture of boulevard comedy, karaoke night, political argument and philosophical discourse. The evening revolves around Sophie Rois, named as actress of the year by the influential theatre magazine 'Theater heute' in 2012. Her sparring partner is not just a single actor, but a whole chorus of eleven women, each dressed in a beautiful rococo gown made of brightly-coloured African cotton. As usual with Pollesch, the actors switch roles and sexes with reckless abandon. The chorus is sometimes addressed as Lucien, and then as Paul or Michael, but always as a man. Pollesch takes a close look at literature, asking questions about love and sexuality, and analysing the political establishment. All this verbal activity is interrupted by snatches of popular French chansons. They help to relieve the tension. A happy, good-looking, politically inspired play, masterfully performed.