Emil and the Detectives

In the train from Neustadt to Berlin, the schoolboy Emil Tischbein is robbed by a stranger with a top hat. Emil was supposed to give the 140 Marks that his single mother had saved up and fastened with a pin to the inner lining of his suit to his grandmother. But he avoids going to see her. When he arrives in Berlin, Emil follows the thief to outside a café in the Kaiserallee. He hides behind an advertising pillar and wonders what to do next. Then he hears a hooter. Emil is startled. It is Gustav, a boy from Berlin who is soon ready to drum together other children to come and help. Together they want to experience an adventure just like the ones in the pictures and arrest the dastardly thief all by themselves.

As Erich Kästner made a group of children the main characters, »Emil and the Detectives« is seen as the first modern children’s book. This classic from 1929 has enchanted fans with its humour, style and a thrilling story which, despite its light touch, never loses sight of the social reality of its characters. Robert Gerloff will stage Kästner’s novel with his customary combination of lively dialogue and pace. His recent productions for Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus include »Death of a Salesman«, »The Servant of Two Masters« and »Spoilsport«.

Here you can listen to the song »Deine Bande, deine Gang« and sing along, either with the streaming provider of your choice or directly here on the site.