Theater of the youth

Bestseller “Echtzeitalter” as a stage experience!

Ludwig Wendelin Weißenberger as Till with Sophie Aujesky (Fina) and Aña-Maria Kunz (Feli)(Bild: Rita Newman)

After the Graz Schauspielhaus, the "Theater der Jugend" is now bringing Tonio Schachinger's coming-of-age novel "Echtzeitalter", which won the German Book Prize, to the stage - a fast-paced production - recommended for ages 13 and up - that is almost better than the book itself!

The dramatization of successful novels is currently more in vogue than ever and sometimes succeeds when done with understanding and sensitivity. This is also the case with the German Book Prize-winning 33-year-old Austrian author Tonio Schachinger. The story staged by the Theater der Jugend about 15-year-old Till Kokorda, who flees from the terror of the dreaded class leader, the Dolinar, into the cyber-game world at Vienna's elite grammar school, is a precision landing.

Stefan Rosenthal (left as Georg) and Ludwig Wendelin Weißenberger(Bild: Rita Newman)

Wonderfully despotic: "the Dolinar" Sebastian Pass (right) with "Khakpour" Curdin Caviezel(Bild: Rita Newman)

Sophie Aujesky (pictured as Till's mom) and Clemens Matzka (here as Till's dad)(Bild: Rita Newman)

Shoulderror: Ludwig Wendelin Weißenberger with Sebastian Pass(Bild: Rita Newman)

Sebastian Pass as "Dolinar"(Bild: Rita Newman)

Sophie Aujesky, delicious as the librarian, with the students "Khakpour" Curdin Caviezel, "Palffy" Stefan Rosenthal and "Till" Ludwig Wendelin Weißenberger(Bild: Rita Newman)

Chief dramaturge Gerald Maria Bauer fillets out the length from the 365 pages and brings the sometimes tough "Real Time Age" to life in a fast-paced and authentic way that is almost one hundred percent true to the text. The stage remains discreetly in the background, pixelated in gray, and can be either a diffuse PC screen or a boarding school wall - in any case, the focus is on the magnificent cast of actors, who perform in multiple roles. Led by Ludwig Wendelin Weißenberger, who plays the textually lamentable role of Till with stunning and touching dedication. Sebastian Pass as "Dolinar" is simply brutally good, Clemens Matzka as the section head draws applause, and Sophie Aujesky, Aña-Maria Kunz, Curdin Caviezel and Stefan Rosenthal also received well-deserved applause at the end. Whoever goes in with the whole class - and takes their parents with them - has won!