Sturm auf Berlin

On the 13th March 1920, the young German democracy faced its biggest challenge. After the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles, the Ehrhardt Marine Brigade marched on Berlin to overthrow the democratic government. Although the Kapp Putsch forced members of parliament to flee, a general strike mobilised millions to fight for their democracy. Almost 100 years later, on the 1st August 2021, four people meet in the Bundestag, including one member of parliament, who discuss a plan to storm the Reichstag with a former elite soldier. In "Sturm auf Berlin", Marie Schwesinger investigates what happens when democracy is attacked from within: a play about the dangers of right-wing extremism and conspiracy narratives, and the fragility of democracy. 

Marie Schwesinger studied performing arts in Hildesheim and directing for theatre in Frankfurt. She has been researching right-wing extremism since 2022 and works on the boundaries between documentary theatre and journalism. Marie Schwesinger is a participant in the WORX international young directors programme for the 2025/2026 season.