14.9.26
„Nachtträume“ celebrates Premiere in Darmstadt
On 12 September 2026, Nachtträume by Marcos Morau celebrated its premiere with Hessisches Staatsballett at the Großes Haus of Staatstheater Darmstadt. With the visually striking choreography by the acclaimed Spanish choreographer, the company opened its 2026/27 dance season – and was met with standing ovations from the Darmstadt audience.
In Nachtträume, Marcos Morau creates a hauntingly beautiful dream world in which power and powerlessness, community and blind obedience collide. The starting point is Kurt Jooss’ iconic 1932 anti-war work The Green Table. Morau combines its motifs with numerous historical and cultural references and, together with the ensemble, creates a surreal world of images through movement, music, text and video.
The first review of the production was published on tanznetz just one day after the premiere. Under the title “Warte, bis es dunkel wird” (“Wait Until It Gets Dark”), Isabelle von Neumann-Cosel describes Nachtträume as an evening filled with inventive theatrical ideas, political allusions, social references and cultural associations that continue to resonate long after the performance. Particular praise is given to Hessisches Staatsballett, expanded to 28 dancers for the production, which, according to tanznetz, performs “at its best”.
Read the full review on tanznetz
For the restaging of Nachtträume, Marcos Morau is joined by an international artistic team: the set design is by Max Glaenzel, costumes by Silvia Delagneau, music by Clara Aguilar, video by Tieni Burkhalter and original lighting design by Martin Gebhardt. Dramaturgy is by Israel Solà and Michael Küster, while Marina Rodríguez, Fabio Calvisi and Shay Partush are responsible for choreographic assistance and restaging.
The cast features Eden Beckerman, Mathilde Belin, Enzo Boffa, Carley Brooks, Edoardo Brovardi, Daniela Castro Hechavarría, Peng Chen, Gorka Duran Villar, Jackson Haywood, Ramon John, Sayaka Kado, Masayoshi Katori, Bridget Lee, Milica Mučibabić, Marcos Novais, Aurélie Patriarca, Alessio Pirrone, Anthony Michael Pucci, Marie Ramet, Julian Sanchez, Sofie Vervaecke, Luke Watson, Benjamin Wilson, Pere Mauriz González, Naia Nieto Villanueva, Elena Pineda Ortiz, Zoe Jameson and Shu Ya Wang. Christian Klischat appears as the “Queen”, with Jorge Moro Argote also performing the role.
Those wishing to delve deeper into the multilayered world of Nachtträume after the performance can find further insights into the production, the artistic team and Marcos Morau’s work in the Digital Programme. Featuring additional texts and information, it accompanies the production and invites audiences to explore the many references and motifs woven throughout the work.
Following its successful premiere, Nachtträume can next be seen in Darmstadt on 20 September at 7.30 pm, 26 September at 7.30 pm and 18 October at 6 pm. Further performances in Darmstadt will follow on 6 December 2026 at 4 pm and 24 January 2027 at 6 pm.
On 6 November 2026 at 7.30 pm, Nachtträume will celebrate its Wiesbaden premiere at the Großes Haus of Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden. Further performances will take place there on 7 and 27 November as well as 10, 16 and 19 December 2026.
