The Visit of the Old Lady in Vallendar: Dürrenmatt's Classic as a Strong Stage Experience

An Evening Between Glamour, Greed, and Judgment

Friedrich Dürrenmatt's tragicomedy The Visit of the Old Lady arrives at the Vallendar Town Hall as a sharp portrait of society. The Theater Koblenz moves the classic out of the comfort zone of pure repertoire into a space where morality, power, and collective temptation become palpable. The production lasts about 2 hours 25 minutes including an intermission and is recommended for ages 14 and up. ([theater-koblenz.de](https://theater-koblenz.de/besuch-der-alten-dame/?utm_source=openai))

Güllen as a Reflection of Our Present

Claire Zachanassian returns to her hometown with wealth, past, and an unrelenting demand. What begins as a reunion grows into a city-wide test of conscience: Dürrenmatt shows how quickly outrage can turn into calculation and how fragile societal values become when wealth entices. The Koblenz production captures this tension precisely and interprets the play as a moral crucible for an entire community. ([theater-koblenz.de](https://theater-koblenz.de/besuch-der-alten-dame/?utm_source=openai))

Staging with Visual Power and Precision

Director Caro Thum opts for a clear theatrical interpretation with a sparse stage design, the use of projections, and an atmosphere that concentrates the pressure of public decision-making. Stage: Wolf Gutjahr. Costumes: Charlotte Sonja Willi. Music: Lukas Kiedaisch. The official announcement also emphasizes that a live camera will be used in the production, transmitting scenic actions to a projection surface. ([theater-koblenz.de](https://theater-koblenz.de/besuch-der-alten-dame/?utm_source=openai))

Theater Atmosphere in the Vallendar Town Hall

The Vallendar Town Hall offers a functional yet audience-friendly setting for this evening. The large hall has 984 seats in row seating, access is described via Koblenz, Bendorf, and the B42, and the underground garage has 52 parking spaces. Important for visitors: Cloakrooms can be used according to house rules, and parking is subject to charges according to the municipal fee schedule. ([stadthalle-vallendar.de](https://stadthalle-vallendar.de/anfahrt/?utm_source=openai))

Why This Classic Works Especially Well Live

Dürrenmatt's material remains a stage experience of rare force because it not only tells a story of revenge but dissects the seducibility of an entire society. Especially live, the dialogues, the choruses, and the gradual escalation unleash their full impact. Those who seek theater as a place for thinking, feeling, and co-deciding will experience an evening that resonates long after. ([theater-koblenz.de](https://theater-koblenz.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PGH_Der-Besuch-der-alten-Dame_WEB.pdf?utm_source=openai))

Official Channels of Theater Koblenz:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaterkoblenz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheaterKoblenz/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheaterKoblenz
• Website: https://theater-koblenz.de/

Sources:

• Theater Koblenz - The Visit of the Old Lady
• Theater Koblenz - Program Booklet for The Visit of the Old Lady
• City and Congress Hall Vallendar - Directions
• City and Congress Hall Vallendar - Parking Options
• City and Congress Hall Vallendar - Large Hall
• Theaterkompass - Theater of the City of Koblenz
• Theater Koblenz - Reality TV from Güllen