Thieves (2010) is considered one of the best contemporary German plays. The premiere in the Berlin-based Deutsches Theater was soon followed by productions in many foreign countries. Our staging will present the acclaimed German playwright in Slovenia for the first time. In Thieves, Dea Loher uses her refined dramaturgical insightfulness to intertwine fragmentary episodes of twelve characters bumping into each other in different constellations and in separate scenes. Their respective microcosms become part of a complex network of personal interactions creating an idiosyncratic tragicomic panorama of contemporary humanity.
The play presents numerous minor events, ephemeral situations and predicaments of long-term couples. One morning, Finn wakes up to a realisation that he does not want to get up, his sister Linda has seen a wolf, but does not know who to talk to about this, their father Erwin needs a cataract surgery, but would rather discuss the weather or the stars. Monika Tomason is offered a job promotion, under the condition, however, that she goes to work abroad. Mr and Mrs Schmidt feel they are being observed by an animal that keeps leaving traces, but they never see it. The pregnant Mira does not want to have her baby. Josef, the father, is really keen on the idea and decides to solve Mira’s problem. Ira’s husband disappeared from a hotel room, and police officer Tomas is making notes on it. Gabi has narrowly escaped Rainer’s attack and is asking the police officer whether she can report the attack later, should he go after her again.
Thieves showcase stories of fragile lives, inexplicable actions and complex emotional combinations on the edge of reason, thus inviting a reflection on everyday lives of contemporary individuals.

Sometimes, I don’t know why I’m unhappy. I’ve no idea what would make me happy. Even when I realise that I actually don’t lack anything, that the moment I live in is relatively good, that we live in objective abundance, that I have a family I have always wanted, we are all healthy, my parents are alive, I do for a living what I’ve always wanted to do, it’s sunny outside and nature is beautiful, I sometimes feel anxious and cannot get out of bed in the morning, my blood pressure is too high, I have greasy hair and I take comfort in food. Isn’t it unbelievable how we fail to appreciate what’s right in front of us, and how we keep on longing? This play presents people who keep on longing, but do not know what for. It’s about how funny they are. It’s about me.

Ivana Djilas