Tickets coming soon
  • Venue Old Vic, London
  • Performance dates 27 August 2027 - 4 September 2027
  • Running time 1 hour and 20 minutes (with no interval)
  • Age guidelines 12+

Book tickets for Kohlhaas – an epic and resonant one-man show starring Arinzé Kene (Get Up, Stand Up!) – playing at the Old Vic between 27 August and 4 September 2027.

See the acclaimed adaptation of Heinrich Von Kleist’s 1810 novella that tells the story of a horse dealer’s quest for justice that becomes a violent rebellion against political corruption.

What is Kohlhaas about?

Kohlhaas is a one-man play about horse dealer Michael Kohlhaas. It begins when a nobleman wrongfully seizes Kohlhaas’ horses, which leads him to a quest for justice that shakes the political establishment to its core.

Directed by Omar Elerian, and adapted by Marco Baliani and Remo Rostagno from Heinrich Von Kleist’s 1810 masterpiece, Kohlhaas brings this 16th-century tale into urgent contemporary relevance. It’s an epic tale of a man pushed to extremes explores profound questions: What happens when the system fails to deliver justice? At what point does righteous protest become dangerous rebellion? What is the cost of speaking truth to power? And how far will an individual go to reclaim what has been stolen?  

Book Kohlhaas tickets  

Kohlhaas plays the Old Vic Theatre in London from 27 August to 4 September 2027. With a limited run, early booking is recommended for the best choice of performances. Get updates on when tickets are on sale by signing up to the West End Theatre newsletter.

Kohlhaas is an epic one-man show adapted by Marco Baliani and Remo Rostagno from Heinrich Von Kleist’s 1810 novella.

It tells the story of Michael Kohlhaas, a horse dealer who, when wrongfully robbed by a nobleman, embarks on a quest for justice that evolves into a violent rebellion against political corruption and injustice, and explores themes of protest, resistance, justice and the cost of speaking truth to power.

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Stars and Creatives

Arinzé Kene in Kohlhaas
Arinzé Kene in Kohlhaas

Who is in the cast of Kohlhaas?

  • Michael Kohlhaas: Arinzé Kene 

Who are the creative team of Kohlhaas?

  • Original novella by: Heinrich Von Kleist 
  • Adapted by: Marco Baliani and Remo Rostagno 
  • Directed by: Omar Elerian 
  • Lighting Designer & Smoke Effects Designer: Jackie Shemesh 
  • Set & Costume Designer: Ana Inés Jabares-Pita 
  • Sound Designer: Dan Pollard 
  • Composer: Matthew Herbert 
  • Production: Brighton Festival in association with the Old Vic 

 

Important Notes

Contains themes of violence, political conflict and social upheaval. Parental guidance advised for younger audiences.

Venue Information

Old Vic , Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8NB

Nearest Tube or Train: Waterloo (Jubilee line, Northern line, Bakerloo line)

Nearest Buses: 1, 68, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 501

Directions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kohlhaas is playing at the Old Vic in London
The running time of Kohlhaas is 1 hour and 20 minutes (with no interval)
The age recommendations for Kohlhaas are: 12+
Yes, Kohlhaas has matinee performances on the following days:
Tickets for Kohlhaas are not currently on sale. Please check back for updates, or sign-up for our email alerts.

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