When does the performance start?

The performance starts on May 25, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

How long does the play last?

Planned for 90 minutes from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

Where is the event taking place?

At Free Space Rochdale, Oldentruper Straße 65, 33607 Bielefeld.

Is this an open-air event?

Yes, it is an open-air theater based on Wilhelm Hauff.

How can I get there by public transport?

The nearest stop is Sieker Mitte on tram line 4.

Is there accessible infrastructure on site?

The site has an accessible toilet.

A Fairy Tale Becomes an Open Stage Full of Longing in Bielefeld

Name: The Cold Heart
Start: 2026-05-25T20:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-05-25T21:30:00+02:00
Location: Freiraum Rochdale

An Evening of Fairy Tales Under the Open Sky: The Cold Heart in Bielefeld

As twilight descends over the Rochdale area, a theater evening begins that is more than just a fairy tale performance. The Canaillen-Bagage brings Wilhelm Hauff's The Cold Heart to the stage as an open-air theater, transforming the open space of Rochdale into a place between forest, desire, and loss of the world. From the well-known art fairy tale comes a lively stage experience about greed, longing, and the price of success.

What This Production Is About

The focus is on Peter Munk, the simple charcoal burner boy from the Black Forest, who wishes to escape the confines of his life. Money, influence, and recognition lure him until a mysterious forest spirit and the legendary Holländermichel drive the story in a dangerous direction. The narrative retains its power to this day because it speaks timelessly of temptation, deviation, and human weakness.

Fairy Tale Material with a Contemporary Tone

Wilhelm Hauff's original work from the Romantic era is regarded as one of the most famous German art fairy tales. Especially on stage, the material unfolds its full effect: as a parable on seduction, social inequality, and the loss of inner warmth. The outdoor atmosphere enhances this impression, as the performance interacts directly with the open space, the evening light, and the closeness to the audience.

The Signature of Canaillen-Bagage

The Bielefeld theater group is known for its animated performances, musical colors, and direct engagement with the audience. This suits a material that must not appear museum-like, but rather demands lively dramaturgy. Especially in the open-air space, a special tension emerges that characterizes the art of theater: clear images, concise characters, and an audience reaction that oscillates between wonder and contemplation.

A Venue with Urban Openness

The Free Space Rochdale contributes to the effect of the evening with its open, unfinished area. The former barracks site has been developed into a place for cultural, social, and community uses. For theater evenings, it offers a special backdrop that does not elegantly cover but atmospherically participates: raw, vast, honest, and full of urban energy.

What Visitors Can Expect

Those who come on May 25, 2026, will experience a compact performance of 90 minutes that focuses on the essentials: strong images, a well-known material, and the immediate power of performance under the open sky. This is not just a fairy tale evening but a theater experience that resonates. Those who love culture and want to rediscover fairy tales should experience this date live.