Das Haus Dazwischen

A Folk Play

Book by Marcellus Schiffer and Felix Joachimson – Music by Mischa Spoliansky

TIMEFRAME: since 2021

Das Haus Dazwischen explores the gentrification of small and medium enterprises within Berlin. Despite its relevance and parallels between 1920s Berlin’s housing shortage and today’s crisis, this play has not been performed since its premiere—truly a rediscovery. Though modern Berlin markets itself as an international art and culture hotspot, venues like clubs, bars, and independent theaters are threatened with displacement. We transpose this theme into those artistic spaces: these “houses in between” struggle to survive in a booming capital under capitalist pressures.

The libretto follows clockmaker Knorr, who lives and works with his wife and seven children in the “house in between.” The investors behind the newly built “City Palace” next door want to buy his property to expand their establishment, using every tactic to persuade the stubborn Knorr to sell. In our adaptation, the threatened house’s owner is the artistic director of the independent theater Acker Stadt Palast, along with his ensemble. Will he yield to the investors or stand his ground?

DURATION: 2h

A production by Anna Weber & Team in cooperation with tutti d*amore, Acker Stadt Palast Berlin, and Theaterhaus Mitte. Funded by:

“It is this coherent stage rhythm and precise timing that give the production its vitality and wit.”

“By closing night, the audience was quick to embrace this work, unseen in nearly 90 years.”

– Konstantin Parnian, Neue Musikzeitung

“The production also works because the actors perform with incredible verve—it’s a joy to watch.”

“This offbeat Das Haus Dazwischen reminded me that there are enough young performers today who can translate the required style with contemporary artistic means.”

– Dr. Kevin Clarke, Operetta Research Centre

© Cornelius Reitmayr