Premiere in Cologne: Viola Neumann's gripping play The Experiment

Premiere in Cologne: Viola Neumann's gripping play The Experiment

some excitement is in Cologne, because the Free Workshop Theater will soon celebrate the premiere of "The Experiment". The director and actress Viola Neumann brings the piece to the stage in July 2025, and the anticipation is great. The staging is based on the novel of the same name by Mario Giordano and opens an exciting and critical space around the topics and identity in extreme situations.

At the center of the plot are subjects who take part in a psychological study in which they are divided into prisoners and guards. Decisions and behaviors of the characters are strongly shaped by their respective development, which leads to impulsive and often violent scenes. In these moments, the characters no longer act consciously - an urgent aspect that will captivate the audience.

reference to psychological research

Neumann's work is not only aesthetically appealing, but also has a clear reference to the famous Stanford study from 1971. This experiment, carried out under the direction of Philip Zimbardo Sample. The participants at that time were divided into two groups: guard and prisoners, and the effects of these roles made the experiment a scandalous chapter of psychology.

The Stanford Prison experiment, which was ultimately broken off after six days due to massive emotional collapse, raises significant ethical questions that are also discussed in Neumann's performance. Figures in the play refer to some of the moral dilemmata related to Zimbardo's research. These critical topics are particularly relevant if you look at the dynamics of power and abuse that are taken up in the play.

creative elements in the staging

Neumann also relies on creative methods to illuminate the emotional and ethical aspects of the topic. At a press conference, for example, she used a biscuit box with pictures of damaged toys - an impressive symbol for the loss of innocence and the bridging of the test subjects in the play. In addition, in an interview, Neumann describes the deeper meaning of a disassembled cuddly toy that illustrates the vulnerable side of human existence.

The roles are not only influenced by the characters, but also by the personal moments of the actors: inside. It is played playfully on non -violence and the actors are enabled to write their own monologues, which makes the piece all the more dynamic and emotional.

With performances that take place from July 4th to 11th, 2025, "the experiment" is released for spectators: inside aged 16 and over. The staging deals with forms of violence and psychological violence and conveys a strong statement about people in extreme situations-a topic that also remains highly topical in the context of other psychological studies, such as the Milgram experiment.

Overall, Viola Neumann has a good hand to create a piece that is both entertaining and stimulates thought. Do not miss this memorable staging in the Free Workshop Theater!