Ein Sommernachtstraum

As night falls, a daughter receives a death threat from her father. As a result, there are two couples wandering aimlessly around the forest of Athens, where gender-ambiguous fairies cast a spell to make them fall in love with other people. Elsewhere in the woods, some labourers are rehearsing a tragic play with a lion that that is required to not be too fearsome. And as the king and queen of the fairies quarrel about an Indian boy, they make the rivers burst their banks …

Shakespeare’s 400-year-old play A MIDSUMMERNIGHT’S DREAM has a lot to say about our crisis-ridden present-day world. The climate disasters of the time, patriarchal systems resisting gender-fluid identities, and even trigger warnings in theatre productions – all of these topics can be found in Shakespeare’s most-performed comedy. At the same time, it is a timeless piece about theatre and the power of transformation. In the forest of Athens, one person’s dream becomes another’s nightmare. Shakespeare evokes a nocturnal state of mind in which people no longer trust others and start to question their feelings and things they believe to be true. They move through all the types of love and struggle to find words. As this excessive dream night draws to a close, the couples shamefacedly awake from this “alternate universe”. But not all of them will change back. The magic of theatre continues to exist and is full of hope.

program

Ein Sommernachtstraum
von William Shakespeare
Deutsch von Angela Schanelec, Jürgen Gosch und Wolfgang Wiens

Place

Wiener Burgtheater – The Stage of Great Drama and Timeless Classics

The Wiener Burgtheater, often referred to as Austria’s "first stage," is one of the most prestigious and influential German-speaking theaters in Europe. Founded in 1741, it has shaped the theatrical landscape for centuries, standing for artistic excellence, literary classics, and contemporary productions.

Located on Vienna’s Ringstrasse, the Burgtheater is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a place where great playwrights such as Goethe, Schiller, Shakespeare, Arthur Schnitzler, Thomas Bernhard, and Elfriede Jelinek come to life through groundbreaking performances. With its renowned ensemble and innovative direction, the theater masterfully combines tradition with modernity, captivating thousands of theatergoers every year.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• U2 – Rathaus station (approx. 5-minute walk)

Tram:

• Lines 1, D, 71 – Rathausplatz/Burgtheater stop
• Lines 2, 46 – Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring stop

Bus:

• Line 13A – Theater in der Josefstadt stop (approx. 10-minute walk)

Thanks to its prime location on Vienna’s Ringstrasse, the Burgtheater is easily accessible by public transport.

Burgtheater Vienna – Where Theater Comes to Life at the Highest Level

With its stunning productions, world-class ensemble, and rich history, the Burgtheater Vienna is the beating heart of Austria’s cultural scene and an absolute must for those who love the magic of theater.