Readings/Theater

Readings from our book “Life on Death Row”

In 2018, the theme of the World Day Against the Death Penalty was “Dignity for All” and dealt with the living conditions of prisoners on death row. The German Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty collected contributions from prisoners on death row in the USA, created a website LIFE ON DEATH ROW from them and published a selection in the book “Leben im Todestrakt – Life on Death Row”.

First readings in Wiesbaden and Frankfurt/Main with texts from the book, supplemented by paintings of prisoners, followed. The cooperation with partly professional actors and the Staatstheater Wiesbaden was very positive – the project “Readings” is to be continued in any case.

Feedback on our readings

>> I don’t know exactly what I expected. But one thing I didn’t: extremely profound and multi-layered texts as well as descriptions of my own situation and the environment …

… with seismographic subtlety without false larmoyance. For those who want to take up the challenge of diving into a deep world of thought about being and meaning, power and powerlessness, and about the joy of living in the face of death, without regard to stereotypes of good and evil, I recommend the book “Leben im Todestrakt – Life on Death Row: Beiträge von Häftlingen in den Todeszellen der USA” edited by Gabi Uhl…<<

>> The reading was so haunting that it remains thought-provoking and thus unforgettable for me to this day. Direction and the atmospheric tone that it made possible had a high level. The texts of the prisoners are precious in literature and meditative reflection, stimulating and recommendable. <<

>> We had expected words from embittered people, who are struggling with their situation, who complain about prison conditions that are incompatible with our understanding of human dignity, and who are waiting for their trials to be reopened or at least for the death sentence imposed on them not to be carried out (so quickly). We heard thoughts that can be described without exaggeration as meditative; descriptions of observations that we all make (sunrises, blossoming trees) but do not perceive – and certainly not with this sensory acuity – because they are no longer special to us; lines from people who do not allow themselves to be broken and who are willing to walk their last walk upright. And emotions that stand in strong contrast to the actions of those who put them on paper. <<

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The opera “Dead Man Walking” at the Theater Erfurt (2019)

The German Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty accompanied the performance of the opera “Dead Man Walking” at the Theater Erfurt in spring 2019. A detailed article appeared in the theater magazine “PROspekt”, based on conversations of the chairperson of the association with the dramaturg, director and main actor. Participation in a panel discussion within the framework program as well as the joint visit of a performance on the weekend of the annual general meeting of the German Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty were added.

Staatstheater Hannover: The deadline is up – Wagner’s Dutchman on death row (2017)

“The central arias from Wagner’s Flying Dutchman are intercut with the correspondence that an inmate on Texas death row kept with German Gabi Uhl from 2006 until his execution in 2014. The dense juxtaposition of Wagner’s despair-laden opera music and the harrowing letter documents creates entirely new listening approaches.”

Details and a one and a half minute trailer on soprano Caroline Melzer ‘s website!

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