Rape on stage

Sexualized violence is omnipresent in society. Theater Basel tackles this issue and brings Shakespeare’s poem “The Desecration of Lucretia” to the stage.

What goes through our minds when we say the word rape? What do silence, fear and shame mean? How is sexualized violence anchored in us and in society? The new play “The Desecration of Lucretia: A Casting” at Schauspielhaus Basel explores these profound questions.

William Shakespeare immortalized the fate of Lucretia, a blameless woman who is raped, in a long poem. A group of actors are now attempting to stage Shakespeare’s poem at the Schauspielhaus. They are analyzing the text and acting out the situations. And they combine them with their own experiences.

What can visitors expect?

Beat John, Managing Director of Opferhilfe beider Basel, was allowed to attend a dress rehearsal. His conclusion: “The play is absolutely recommendable! It is moving and encouraging at the same time. Director Lola Arias and the acting team have succeeded in staging an honest, touching and hard reality that is worth seeing and gives hope. The actors’ personal accounts bring depth, vulnerability and shame to life. And they also show how things can go on and how strength and power can emerge from them.

Further information on the play can be found on the Theater Basel website
(performances until June 9, 2026)

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NEW: 24/7

At night and at weekends, the number is operated by Dargebotene Hand beider Basel.

The Dargebotene Hand provides basic counseling and, if necessary, refers the victim to the day service for counseling.

Victim Support beider Basel is available 24/7
Tel: +41 61 205 09 10

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