Academy Theater

Emigrants invent the end of the world

Strong performance: the seven-member male ensemble.(Bild: Burgtheater/© Tommy Hetzel)

With "Manhattan Project", Burgtheater director Stefan Bachmann brings an exciting contemporary story to the stage of the Akademietheater.

The Italian Stefano Massini has brought a fascinating piece of history into dramatic form: five emigrated Hungarian Jews, including Robert Oppenheimer (Max Simonischek) and Edward Teller (Markus Meyer), developed the first atomic bomb for the USA under the code name "Manhattan Project". The invention of the end of the world? Or its prevention by anticipating Hitler's plans and later creating the balance of terror? In our confused times, this linguistically powerful work seems even more threatening.

Burg director Stefan Bachmann has chosen it for his first production in office, and he succeeds impressively. A stage-high, spinning wheel of fate (set: Olaf Altmann) occupies the scene. The characters trapped inside are forced to perform verbal and physical acrobatics. The evening is strictly choreographed. Nevertheless, the seven-member, all-male ensemble manages to create gripping characters. It is only in the overlong final passage that the company slips into talky symbolism.

Bachmann doesn't rely on stars for his debut, but on a well-selected mix of established actors and those he has brought with him. This is not only likeable, but also a smart investment in the working atmosphere. The new management celebrates an altogether productive fall.