The Stuttgart theater evening begins with a prelude of alarming news such as arson attacks and the rising electoral chances of the far-right AfD party. By the conclusion of the performance, a fictional yet chilling result is presented: Alice Weidel, leader of the AfD, has won the elections and becomes Chancellor, while Björn Höcke is appointed as Interior Minister. This satirical representation invokes a stark warning about the trajectory of German politics. The final moments of the show are marked by a lingering darkness that allows the audience to absorb the weight of the disturbing narrative before applause erupts from a visibly affected crowd.

Director Martin Kušej returns with a bold and hard-hitting production, demonstrating his ability to tackle complex themes. His previous stint at the Wiener Burgtheater was less successful, but his re-emergence in Stuttgart is noteworthy. He adapts Thomas Bernhard's grotesque play "Vor dem Ruhestand" (Before Retirement), intertwining it with modern-day societal issues and representing Nazi rituals and anti-Semitic sentiments, underscoring the relevance and urgency of the performance. This adaptation aims to provoke thought on the consequences of political apathy and the rise of extremist ideologies.

The production has generated significant discourse about the current state of German society, particularly regarding the normalization of extremist rhetoric in political discourse. Kušej's work is both a critique and a call to awareness, urging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about their realities. The applause at the end reflects the audience's engagement with these pressing themes, indicating that while the play is rooted in dark satire, its implications resonate with present concerns about the political landscape in Germany.