“There are many monstrous things. Yet nothing is more monstrous than man.” – Sophocles

This famous quote from Antigone is the spark that ignites a programme exploring the monstrous dual nature of humanity: With the two monstrous social comedies by Qualtinger/Merz, as well as a fresh exploration of the Trojan myth – from Homer through Kleist’s Penthesilea to contemporary music and dance theatre – a brand-new reading theatre piece by Franz Schuh on Karl Kraus, the theatre series REDEN! and dialogue formats featuring guests such as Klaus Theweleit, Daniela Strigl, Florian Scheuba, Raimund Löw, Lisz Hirn, Michael Köhlmeier, Barbara Toth and Konrad-Paul Liessmann, the festival opens a contemporary agora within the historic Kasematten of Wiener Neustadt.