About the work
“spinne” (German for “spider”) is a monologue by Maja Zade, head dramaturg of the Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz in Berlin. Zade directed the world premiere herself on 20 June 2024 in the Schaubühne’s Globe, her first work as a director; Caroline Peters played the protagonist and embodied all the other characters as well. The piece runs about an hour and a half.
Plot
Julia is in her mid-forties, works as a poorly paid translator and editor and lives in Berlin’s Wedding district. When loud music from the neighbouring flat keeps her awake one night, she thinks of Kris, her closest friend from childhood and youth in Bremen, whom she has not seen for more than thirty years. She tracks him down online: the former companion of her anarchist teenage years has become a wealthy lawyer with a family and property who sympathises with the AfD. A dinner with his wife and son becomes a test of whether a friendship can survive opposing political convictions.
Cultural significance
The play asks how origin, social milieu and experience shape political attitudes, and whether genuine conversation across such divides is still possible. Critics unanimously praised Caroline Peters but were divided on the text: some valued its hints and omissions, while others found the political debate in the second half too reliant on slogans.