Michael Kohlhaas: A Costume Observation

Piece: Michael Kohlhaas | Theaterhaus Jena

Text/Direction: Hannes Weiler | Stage: Florian Dietrich | Costumes: Bettina Werner | Dramaturgy: Friederike Weidner

Focus on Leander Paul Gerdes

Photographer: Joachim Dette

What is the costume?

black boots
black trousers
shirt with a red-black camouflage pattern
red jacket with metallic knobs and white collar
long black leather coat
red “crown” consisting of branches, leaves and feathers

The costume of Leander Paul Gerdes doesn’t alter much during the play. He discards his leather coat after its first apperance, it will never be worn again. The red coat with its white lace collar represents his permanent restlessness and anger about authorities. The costume gets its “crown” in the scene where Kohlhaas burns down several cities. It has only a short scene time but nevertheless has a strong visual impact for the audience. It can be seen as a symbol of the anger, pain and desperation he is going through after the loss of his horses, seeing no other option as pure destruction.