IM TOD — IN MY TIME OF DYING

costume design, 2022
theatre play
Theaterhaus Jena

Two theater makers meet again on a stage after their death. They get to talking, they remember their own experiences with dying, they become contemplative and they take it easy, they explore their theatrical habits, questioning the sense and nonsense of the artistic play with death. Meanwhile, the lines between autobiographical fact and fiction, between pain, consolation and absurdity are blurred.

»Im Tod - in my time of dying« seeks dialogue from the lowest common denominator: the fact that we are all going to die and have limited time to live. Departing from formative autobiographical events, Sankar Venkateswaran and Leon Pfannenmüller examine personal and societal perspectives on death, on care for the dying, and the processing of death. How do we die? How do we mourn? And how do we prepare for it? How do we deal with dying bodies? »All are equal in death« – is that actually true?

Based on their intercontinental exchange and research around these questions, this piece was developed during rehearsal phases at Sahyande Theater in Attappadi, southern India, and at Theaterhaus Jena. The result is an intimate conversation between two friends, which deals with diverse associations and experiences of death, exploring questions about the last great journey, palliative care, and rituals of mourning and letting go.
Let's talk about death!

concept, text, performance: Leon Pfannenmüller, Sankar Venkateswaran

dramaturgical support: Maria Rößler

set and lighting design: Maarten van Otterdijk

costumes: Leonie Ohlow

sound design: Friederike Bernhardt

assistant stage and costume designer: Lilli Potyka

assistant director: Lina Morgenroth, Nastasja Rauch

photos: Joachim Dette