Joseph Breitbach

Zweierlei Helden
Schauspiel in 3 Akten
1 D, 3 H, 1 Dek
UA: März 2000 · Theater am Kirchplatz, Schaan · Directed by: Georg Rootering
A play about power, responsibility, love and idealism in politics

A state visit causes a discord of political calculations and moral values in the representatives of the republic, frail in their feeling of self-worth in 1934. The king and dictator of a Balkan country is expected: he is supposed to be welcomed by the minister in Marseilles. An assassination attempt against the dictator is feared. Not to embarrass his country, the minister decides not to wear the conventional bulletproof vest, a sacrifice for the republic. Even Cécile, his lover and pretend niece, can’t change his decision. Skilled on the political stage, she has information that is best not brought to light. In feverish expectation, this and Cécile’s marriage plans are talked about: she loves Berger, adjutant of the minister, but doesn’t want to marry him if that would mean withdrawing from society.
During the inevitable assassination attempt, the king is killed and the minister gravely wounded. He refuses medical assistance and dies. In the general confusion, Cécile’s false identity is threatened. But before something can become dangerous to her position, the next disaster happens: Berger shoots himself next to the king’s coffin. In his eyes, this is a patriotic act: his death is meant to be repayment for the inability of his nation to protect the king. Cécile takes up the offer of a big newspaper to write a column using her information about politics and society.