Heldenplatz

“The empty promises of progress were nothing more than spit in the face of the martyrs of all generations. If time is just a form of perception or a category of reason, then the past is no less pertinent than the present. Cain continues to murder Abel. Nebuchadnezzar is still slaughtering Zedekiah’s sons and gouging out his eyes. The Kishinev massacre never ends. And Jews are constantly being burned at Auschwitz. Those lacking the courage to end their own lives have only one way out: they must numb their consciousness, silence their memory, extinguish the last trace of hope.” (Isaac B. Singer)

Frank Castorf stages Thomas Bernhard’s last play, HELDENPLATZ – which describes a Jewish professor’s return from exile with his family, while exploring the traumas caused by history – not as a (by now, mollified) insult to Austria, but as a text of historical depth addressing themes that are highly pernicious, both in this country and elsewhere: anti-Semitism, displacement, escaping persecution, exile – and forgetting history. And the horizon extends far beyond Vienna’s Heldenplatz square.

program

Heldenplatz
von Thomas Bernhard

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.