This political parable examines how ordinary citizens enable destructive forces through passivity and politeness. The protagonist Biedermann is outraged by arsonists terrorizing his city—until they appear at his door. Despite their transparent intentions, he invites them inside, prioritizing civility and avoiding confrontation. The production explores a dangerous mindset: the rationalization that accommodating threats is preferable to making enemies, even when one possesses the means to resist.

Director Fritzi Wartenberg's staging presents the material as "dämonisch-ironisches Kasperletheater" (demonic-ironic puppet theater), employing vibrant costumes and exaggerated performances to underscore the absurdity of complicity. Originally premiered in 1958, Max Frisch's work remains strikingly relevant to contemporary political dynamics, examining how societies permit their own destruction through compromise and inaction. The production runs at the Großes Haus (Main Theatre) with performances through July 2025. Each performance lasts 1 hour 30 minutes with no intermission, making it an intense and unbroken exploration of this darkly comedic political critique.

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