Theater Altenburg Gera (DE)

“The probability that intelligent beings live on other planets is 1 in 1.876 billion.” Lisa, who is almost nine years old, knows her way around physics, can solve difficult math problems and assemble computers from scrap metal. She spends her evenings searching space for extra-terrestrial life. Because the life she has to deal with on Earth is anything but pleasant: since her parents no longer have a job, they are stuck on the sofa. On the way to school, Lisa is pushed into the dirt by teenagers, she sits alone in class and not even the teacher likes her. One evening, however, a spaceship actually lands on the lawn behind Lisa’s house and leaves behind Walter, a visitor from another planet. He finds people’s earthly problems extremely strange and starts to clean up Lisa’s life.

Sibylle Berg’s first play for young people is a plea for loving togetherness, a humorous story about an extraordinary friendship and the small steps it takes to make the world a little better. The puppeteer Tobias Weishaupt was awarded the 2024 German Theatre Price “Der Faust” in the category “Performer – Theatre for Young Audiences” for his performance in the production “Mein ziemlich seltsamer Freund Walter”. This is the first time the award has been presented to a puppeteer. From the jury’s statement: “His performance is […] consistently simple, almost unexcited and thus creates great empathy and a tangible connection between the characters on stage and the audience.”