DER GROSSE DIKTATOR

About the show

WORLD PREMIERE Charlie Chaplin was a global star; his films reached millions. All the more courageous, then, was his satirical critique of National Socialism in *The Great Dictator* (1940). Konzert Theater Bern is bringing Chaplin's classic film to a German-language stage for the first time. The story of the grotesque case of mistaken identity between the dictator of Tomania, Adenoid Hynkel, and a Jewish barber takes place in the 1930s, during Hitler's rise to power. After a cunning escape from captivity, the Jewish barber—whom everyone mistakes for Hynkel—delivers his now world-famous closing speech. It is a passionate plea for humanity and against hatred and would become a pivotal moment in film history. Especially today, in times of resurgent nationalist ideologies, the speech possesses a disturbing relevance. Director and artistic director Cihan Inan has written his own stage adaptation based on Chaplin's film. Ensemble member Gabriel Schneider, recently named best up-and-coming actor in the critics' poll of the trade journal "Theater heute", can be seen in the dual role of Adenoid Hynkel/The Barber.