Joking Apart

Das Deutsche Theater München hosts a production of the Theresien-Gymnasium München

About an almost too perfect couple

A story consisting only of happy endings would be conceivably boring. In his comedy Joking apart, nevertheless, Alan Ayckbourn realizes the idea of the always happy couple. Their dramaturgically unspectacular story, however, is only marginally told by the 15 students of the Theresien-Gymnasium in Munich. Rather, it is about very normal people with very normal problems who have the misfortune to end up with absolutely perfect friends.

For Richard and Anthea, everything in life falls into place as if by magic: successful, socially committed and always in a good mood. Over the course of twelve years, they invite their friends, neighbors and business partners over several times to celebrate with them. They seem to get along very well – at least as long as the hosts are present. For the guests, however, happiness just doesn’t work out. Professional success fails to materialize and the search for the perfect partner or the right upbringing is in vain. The constant confrontation with the success of the perfect couple makes the cheerful facade crumble. How can anyone be so lucky?

The 11th grade students are also performing in our Silbersaal this year. You can find more about their play The Crucible here.