Der Großinquisitor

THE GRAND INQUISITOR plays a key role in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s monumental late work THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV. In this parable-like tale set in 16th-century Spain, Jesus Christ returns to Earth, but is in danger of becoming a victim of the very Inquisition carried out in His name. The Grand Inquisitor’s monologue, which revolves around ethical-moral and religious-philosophical issues, is performed by Barbara Petritsch. She prefaces her performance with Lotte’s monologue from Botho Strauss’s work BIG AND SMALL, using it as a gateway to introduce the theme of loneliness and the associated search for God. In combination, these two literary masterpieces shine a spotlight on existential questions – and the theatre is the ideal space to find answers.