Four Times I at the Duisburg Theater: Maria Lazar's novel becomes a stage event
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Four Times I at the Duisburg Theater: A novel becomes a sharply sparkling stage encounter
With Four Times I, the Duisburg Theater brings a long-lost novel by Maria Lazar to the stage for the first time. The direction by Ariane Kareev condenses the story into an intense stage experience about gender equality, identity searching, and the question of how much external determination is present in one's own life. In FOYER III, that small, concentrated performance space above the rooftops of the building, a theater atmosphere unfolds in close proximity to the audience. ([theater-duisburg.de](https://www.theater-duisburg.de/spielplan/a-z/viermal-ich/))
A powerful novel that feels astonishingly contemporary today
Maria Lazar's text follows four friends through childhood, youth, and early adulthood. Each character struggles in their own way with attributions, desires, and social pressures. The Duisburg Theater describes the play as a dialogue with current themes such as physical alienation and the place of humanity in society. This is precisely where the strength of this acting production lies: it creates a bridge between the literary modernity of the late 1920s and a contemporary audience that can identify with the conflicts. ([theater-duisburg.de](https://www.theater-duisburg.de/spielplan/a-z/viermal-ich/))
Direction, space, and performance: Chamber-like, precise, nerve-strong
The direction by Ariane Kareev focuses on closeness and concentration. In FOYER III, with its 99 seats, an intimate dramaturgy develops, where every hesitation, every glance, and every speaking movement carries weight. The stage and costumes are in the hands of Maria Walter and Ariella Karatolou; artistic collaboration is provided by Judith Humer. This constellation promises a clear, condensed stage design that does not illustrate the psychological tensions of the novel but rather lays them bare. ([theater-duisburg.de](https://www.theater-duisburg.de/spielplan/a-z/viermal-ich/))
Maria Lazar: Rediscovery of an author with literary explosive power
Maria Lazar fled with Bertolt Brecht and Helene Weigel from National Socialism to Denmark; her novel Four Times I was long thought to be lost. Literary critics emphasize the psychological accuracy of the material and its social sharpness. This rediscovery gives the performance authority: Here, not just a forgotten work is presented, but an author is brought back into the theater conversation whose perspective on female self-assertion and societal attributions remains remarkably modern. ([theater-duisburg.de](https://www.theater-duisburg.de/spielplan/a-z/viermal-ich/))
The theater atmosphere in FOYER III
FOYER III stands for extraordinary theater productions in close proximity to the audience at the Duisburg Theater. The building itself combines historical architecture with a concentrated performance space that seems designed for immediate reactions, tense silence, and strong audience responses. The performance begins on June 10, 2026, at 19:30 and lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes; the ticket price is 12 euros. ([theater-duisburg.de](https://www.theater-duisburg.de/spielplan/a-z/viermal-ich/))
Conclusion: Four Times I promises an evening between literary discovery and contemporary stage art. For those who appreciate precise acting, fine directorial work, and material with social relevance, this is a theatrical event with substance. Secure your tickets now and experience this intense evening live at the Duisburg Theater. ([theater-duisburg.de](https://www.theater-duisburg.de/spielplan/a-z/viermal-ich/))
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