Die Glasmenagerie (The Glass Managerie ) by Tenessee Williams.

Jakobus Theater, Karlsruhe.

Director: Andi Rudenauer.

25th September 2026

Rudenauer follows up his excellent adaptation of Same Time Next Year which came to Lace Market Theatre in May this year, With this classic US Southern potboiler, translated and adapted for a German audience, it does not lose its story whatsoever. First the acting, and its a 10/10 for everyone, especially the dynamic family of three. Central to the plot, Angelika Veith, as Amanda Wingfield, the matriarch of this trio, is wonderful; beautifully segueing from care giver to control freak to downright bitch, but also a lost soul stuck in her memories of a life she could have had.

Photography: JSchurr-derFotoschamane

Freddi  Schmeider is our main protagonist Tom, the son and brother in this family, and also part narrator. If ever a capture of frustrated dissafected and misunderstood youth was needed, Schmeider beautifully captures this. Jule Klessing is terrific as the daughter/sister preoccupied with her glass menagerie. Anxiety filled, and constantly living in her mother’s shadow blended with a great portrayal of shy naivety, Klessing engages our hearts throughout.

Lastly, we have Leonard Berscheid as a potential suitor for Laura in Jim O Connor, at first affable and encouraging, but then ultimately he is the sting in the tale when he gets Laura to kiss him and he reveals he’s not single. A total triumph to all, from the top class acting to Rudenauer’s exacting direction and the terrific set that totally represents the play.

The set is an open glass box but with some amazing lighting effects making aspects of the glass box become opaque, credit to Martin Schlegl. Lighting and sound are courtesy of Niko Meister and Martin Schlegl and Alex Voss provides the original score.

Clearly, another theatrical triumph for The Jakobus Theatre in Karlsruhe.

Guest Reviewer. Micha Aroha Darmola.