The Iron Gustav, Villa Irmgard

Hans Fallada evening

Berlin, between 1914 and 1924: Gustav Hackendahl, nicknamed "Iron Gustav," is a cab driver, strict with himself and others. During the turbulent war and postwar years, his family falls apart, and his business can no longer survive in the face of competition from the automobile industry. So he defiantly turns a dream into reality: He sets out on one final journey – by cab from Berlin to Paris. Fallada's novel unfolds the cultural and socio-psychological panorama of the era.

In everyday scenes, he tells German history "from below" and impresses with his sharply drawn characters, precise dialogues and the wide range of locations.

actor Hannes Rittig lives in Hans Fallada's birthplace Greifswald and, in collaboration with the local Fallada Society, has brought several novels to the stage as staged readings. He takes turns slipping into the different characters in the novel and brings the world of around 100 years ago to life.

• Tickets are available at the tourist information offices, at www.kaiserbaeder-auf-usedom.de and remaining tickets at the box office
• Entrance fee: €16,00
• Entry: 19:00 p.m.