Lost and Back: Beckmann's shocking homecoming drama

Lost and Back: Beckmann's shocking homecoming drama

An important work of German post-war literature will soon be staged in Dresden: “Outside the Door” by Wolfgang Borchert. The play will premiere on September 16, 2025, the date on which this article is written, and will therefore appeal to new and old generations. The performance is not only a tribute to Borchert, but also offers an opportunity to reflect on the themes of war, loss and social isolation.

The fact that the author dealt with this haunting work in just eight days in 1947 shows the pressure and emotions of the time. The protagonist Beckmann returns from the war and is faced with a pile of broken pieces: his son is dead, his wife has turned to another man, and his homeland consists only of ruins and an oppressive silence. So reported MDR about the challenge that Borchert addresses in his piece. Beckmann, who represents millions of returnees, limps into his destroyed reality.

A piece full of emotions

“Outside the Door,” or as the play is known internationally, “The Man Outside,” begins with a powerful monologue that illustrates the protagonist's desperation and pain. In the first performance of the piece on February 13, 1947 on German radio and the live premiere on November 21, 1947, one day after Borchert's death in the Hamburg Kammerspiele, it becomes clear how strongly post-war society reacted to the work. Wikipedia points out that Borchert published the play under the subtitle: “A play that does not want to be performed in a theater and does not want to be seen by an audience,” reflecting the contradictory feelings of the post-war period.

The work consists of five scenes presented in one act. With a clever use of expressionistic forms and Brechtian techniques, such as the alienation effect, Borchert succeeds in making the viewer think. Beckmann's return is accompanied by an inner monologue that masterfully conveys the feeling of alienation and social isolation.

Social relevance

The explosiveness of the piece is also evident today in its examination of post-war society and its inability to process the horrors of war. In the plot, Beckmann meets various characters who help him or confront him. This also includes a colonel whom Beckmann holds responsible for the deaths of his comrades. These interactive elements invite you to question your own position and deal with the shadows of the past.

The universal themes of loss and hopelessness that Borchert explores make “Outside the Door” a timeless piece that continues to be relevant today. With convincing and clear dialogues enriched with everyday and emotionally charged language, the audience is sure to be captivated.

The premiere in Dresden represents a new beginning - not only for the city, but also for the returnees who have to deal with their own experiences. It remains to be hoped that the audience is willing to listen and process the stories, some of which still remain unheard.

“Outside the Door” proves to be a powerful testimony to the human experience of war and peace, which is still popular today and stimulates thought.