About the work
"Medea in Athen" (Medea in Athens), subtitled "Der gefundene Sohn" (The Found Son), is the sixth and final episode of Roland Schimmelpfennig's cycle "Fremde Sonne. Die Argonauten. Iason. Medea.". The text was published by S. Fischer in September 2026 together with the other plays of the cycle. Karin Beier directs the world premiere on 6 February 2027 at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg.
Plot
After murdering her children, Medea finds refuge with King Aegeus in Athens, who grants her asylum on condition that she bears him an heir. Their marriage falls apart amid intoxication and abuse of power, until a young man turns up claiming to be Aegeus's son Theseus.
Cultural significance
The final part carries the Medea myth into a present of social decay as a bitterly satirical satyr play and moves the tragedy into the private sphere of a destructive marriage.