Minna von Barnhelm - Theater Season Opening

OR THE SOLDIER'S LUCK
A Comedy by G.E. Lessing
Kleines Theater Rehme

"Does this little bit of peace already make you restless?"

Half a year after the peace treaty ending the Seven Years' War, Minna von Barnhelm travels from Thuringia, a Saxon province, with her lady's maid Franziska and her uncle toward Berlin to find her missing fiancé, Major von Tellheim, who serves in the Prussian occupying army.

The Major was supposed to collect contributions - war taxes - in the occupied Saxon territories. Yet he proved to be a true humanist who did not bleed the defeated land dry, but instead granted the vanquished people a loan from his own pocket.

This loan now becomes his accusation. He was dishonorably discharged, tormented by himself and the world, withdrawing from life. His friend, Sergeant Werner, tries to help him financially and restore his spirits.

In the inn where Tellheim now lives with his faithful servant Just, Minna and Franziska arrive after their carriage suffers a broken axle. While Minna overflows with joy at reuniting with her fiancé, whom she believed lost, Tellheim sees no future in an engagement made during happier times.

Minna is determined to win back her Tellheim, armed with a woman's wit and the eloquent help of Franziska...