Name: MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN
Start: 2026-11-06T20:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-06T23:15:00+01:00
Location: Hans Otto Theater, Großes Haus

Mother Courage and Her Children: Brecht's War Play as a Fiery Theater Evening in Potsdam

With Bertolt Brecht's "Mother Courage and Her Children," the Hans Otto Theater brings a classic to the stage, drawing its power from the unflinching analysis of war, the economy of survival, and the fragility of familial bonds. The new production by Bettina Jahnke combines epic theater with an expressive visual language and live music by Paul Dessau, adapted by Martin Klingeberg. The premiere is on November 6, 2026, in the Great House. ([hansottotheater.de](https://www.hansottotheater.de/spielplan/monatsplan/mutter-courage-und-ihre-kinder_2026_27/4117/))

A Material That Has Not Lost Its Harshness

Anna Fierling, known as Mother Courage, wanders through the Thirty Years' War, trying to profit from the war. Brecht does not portray her as a heroine but as a contradictory figure between pragmatism, maternal love, and profit-seeking. This very contradiction holds the enduring explosive power of the play: the mechanics of war do not seem distant, but alarmingly close. The production at the Hans Otto Theater explicitly emphasizes this relevance and relies on a humanly intelligent, musical, and visually compelling interpretation. ([hansottotheater.de](https://www.hansottotheater.de/spielplan/monatsplan/mutter-courage-und-ihre-kinder_2026_27/4117/))

Direction, Stage, and Music as a Precise Interaction

Bettina Jahnke directs, Dorit Lievenbrück is responsible for set and costumes, and Bettina Jantzen handles the dramaturgy. The production works with a small brass band playing live on stage, linking to the musical structure of the Brecht-Dessau cosmos. This blend of acting, sound, and set design promises a dense stage experience, where each scene serves as a sharp cut through the logic of war. ([hansottotheater.de](https://www.hansottotheater.de/spielplan/monatsplan/mutter-courage-und-ihre-kinder_2026_27/4117/))

An Ensemble That Carries the Contradictions

Kristin Muthwill takes on the title role, Paula Aschmann plays Kattrin, Moritz Kahl is Eilif, Paul Wilms is Schweizerkas, René Schwittay is the Cook, and Ulrike Beerbaum is Yvette Pottier. Additionally, Henning Strübbe, Joachim Berger, Jon-Kaare Koppe, and the ensemble join. This cast sets a high standard: Brecht's characters demand more than mere role sketching; they require a performance that balances distance and involvement. The Hans Otto Theater relies on its great ensemble competence and a lead actress who was awarded the Potsdam Theater Prize in 2024. ([hansottotheater.de](https://www.hansottotheater.de/spielplan/monatsplan/mutter-courage-und-ihre-kinder_2026_27/4117/))

Theater Atmosphere in the Great House

The Great House of the Hans Otto Theater at Tiefen See offers up to 485 seats and barrier-free access through the main entrance. Wheelchair spots, an elevator to the glass foyer and the upper balcony, barrier-free restrooms, and five free outdoor parking spaces for people with disabilities are part of the accessible service standards of the house. The bars open one hour before the performance begins, and the theater canteen complements the visit with snacks and drinks. This creates an atmosphere around the performance that encompasses the theater evening as a complete experience. ([hansottotheater.de](https://www.hansottotheater.de/service/?utm_source=openai))

Conclusion: An Evening for Everyone Who Wants to Experience Theater as a Contemporary Form

“Mother Courage and Her Children” at the Hans Otto Theater promises an intense, musically charged, and politically alert stage experience. Those who want to experience Brecht's classic in a atmospherically strong Potsdam new production should mark this premiere date and secure tickets early. ([hansottotheater.de](https://www.hansottotheater.de/spielplan/monatsplan/mutter-courage-und-ihre-kinder_2026_27/4117/))