The Tin Drum (Die Blechtrommel) Tickets

Berliner Ensemble, Berlin, Germany

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Available Dates: 9 Oct, 2026 (1 events)

Important Info

Type: Play

City: Berlin, Germany

Duration: 1h 50min

Sung in: German

Titles in: English

Ticket delivery: E-Tickets

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

Can I choose my seats?

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Cast

Performers

Choose the date to see the peformers

Creators

Playwright: Günter Grass

Director: Oliver Reese

Overview

Based on Günter Grass's Nobel Prize-winning novel, The Tin Drum is a powerful one-man performance starring Nico Holonics. The play follows Oskar Matzerath, a boy who refuses to grow up as Nazi Germany rises around him. Combining grotesque humour, tragedy, and historical reflection, the production explores personal responsibility, fascism, and the loss of innocence through one of the greatest works of post-war German literature.

Oskar Matzerath is only three years old when he decides that the adult world is beyond redemption. Horrified by hypocrisy, violence, and the growing influence of National Socialism in 1920s Danzig, he refuses to grow any taller. Armed with the tin drum promised by his mother, Oskar becomes an observer rather than a participant in history.

From a child's perspective, he witnesses family conflicts, adultery, political fanaticism, Kristallnacht, and the rise of the Third Reich. His drum becomes both a toy and a weapon of protest, while his piercing voice challenges the world around him.

Oliver Reese's adaptation focuses entirely on Oskar's perspective and is performed as a remarkable solo performance by Nico Holonics, who portrays every character through rapid transformations. The production explores guilt, memory, fascism, identity, and the responsibility of individuals during one of history's darkest periods. It remains one of the Berliner Ensemble's most acclaimed productions.

Venue Info

Berliner Ensemble - Berlin
Bertolt-Brecht-Platz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Founded in 1949 by Bertolt Brecht and Helene Weigel, the Berliner Ensemble is one of Germany's most celebrated theatres and an international symbol of dramatic excellence. Located in the historic Theater am Schiffbauerdamm in the heart of Berlin, it is renowned for its outstanding productions of Brecht's plays, world classics, and contemporary drama. Combining a rich artistic tradition with innovative directing and one of Germany's finest acting ensembles, the Berliner Ensemble remains one of Europe's leading theatre institutions.

The Berliner Ensemble is one of the most prestigious and influential dramatic theatres in Europe. Founded in 1949 by legendary playwright and director Bertolt Brecht together with actress Helene Weigel, the theatre has played a defining role in the development of modern theatre and remains closely associated with Brecht's concept of Epic Theatre.

Since 1954, the company has been based in the historic Theater am Schiffbauerdamm, a magnificent Neo-Baroque theatre in central Berlin. Today, the Berliner Ensemble operates three performance venues—the Großes Haus, Neues Haus, and Werkraum—presenting a diverse repertoire ranging from Bertolt Brecht's masterpieces and Shakespearean classics to contemporary works by leading international playwrights.

Under the artistic direction of Oliver Reese, the theatre continues its tradition of combining classical drama with socially relevant contemporary productions. Its resident ensemble of acclaimed actors collaborates with some of Europe's most distinguished directors, creating productions known for their artistic excellence, intellectual depth, and innovative stagecraft.

Recognized as one of Germany's foremost cultural institutions, the Berliner Ensemble attracts audiences from around the world and regularly presents performances with English surtitles for international visitors. It remains a vibrant centre for theatrical innovation while preserving one of the richest dramatic legacies in modern theatre history.