The porcupine anniversary program: I still have a Tesla in Berlin

Berlin has plenty of comedy. This one is different, because it is political cabaret, fast-paced, and staged inside Die Stachelschweine, Berlin’s first cabaret theater. I like the way the show mixes black humor with a kind of Berlin calm, so you laugh and then catch yourself thinking. I also like that it is built for immediacy, uncensored and live, with lots of music driving the pace. One thing to consider: the performance is in German, so you’ll want solid language comfort.

The anniversary program for 75 years of STACHELSCHWEINE, titled Ich hab’ noch einen Tesla in Berlin (I still have a Tesla in Berlin), takes a fictional 2028 Germany and runs it like a satire engine. You follow a chain of political and economic ideas, from retirement at 55 to free public transport and rent caps, all tied to a near-future plan that starts to unravel. If you come looking for light entertainment only, the bite may feel too sharp.

On the practical side, this is a small group show, limited to 6 participants, lasting about 2 hours. You can pick a seating category, not exact seats, and you’ll need to exchange your voucher at the box office before the performance starts.

Key things to know before you go

• Berlin’s first cabaret theater: Die Stachelschweine is the venue, in the basement entrance area of the Europacenter.
• A 2028 satire plot: Chancellor Wagenknecht and Vice-Chancellor Pistorius sketch a plan to finance election promises, then chaos follows.
• Live, uncensored political humor: It is topical and sharply written, with social criticism delivered up close.
• Music is part of the engine: The cabaret is fast and musical, not just spoken skits.
• Small group intimacy: Limited to 6 participants, which usually means a more focused experience.
• German language requirement: You must follow the show in German to get the full effect.

Where it happens: Die Stachelschweine in the Europacenter basement

This anniversary program happens at Kabarett Theater: Die Stachelschweine, Berlin’s first cabaret theater. The practical detail that matters most for your arrival is the meeting point: the theater entrance is in the basement of the Europacenter, and the activity ends back where you start.

So, plan for a quick, efficient entry. Germany’s theatre setups often mean you should show up a little early, find your way down to the basement entrance, then head straight to the box office for your voucher exchange. This isn’t a “wandering around to explore first” kind of night. It is a “get settled and start on time” kind of night.

The upside of this location style is that you do not waste time commuting across town, at least not in the final stretch. The downside is that if you rely on surface landmarks, you may want to check your route to the Europacenter basement entrance ahead of time.

The plot in plain terms: a 2028 Germany built for satire

The core experience is the storyline for 75 years of STACHELSCHWEINE: I still have a Tesla in Berlin.

In this imagined 2028, Chancellor Wagenknecht and Vice-Chancellor Pistorius face relentless pressure as the national debt advances. The show’s humor comes from turning real political talking points into cartoon logic, and then pushing that logic until it breaks.

Here are a few of the specific future details you’ll see on stage:

• A cheese roll costs 14 euros, a blunt joke about everyday cost of living.
• BASF and Bayer have emigrated to Asia, which satirizes corporate reshuffling and globalization.
• VW and BMW belong to Tesla, mixing national industries with one global tech brand.
• Germany’s credit rating drops to BB, and half of the taxes go to interest payments, a grim economic theme dressed as absurd policy math.

Then Pistorius proposes what the show calls the Berlin secret plan. He calculates that Wagenknecht can fund election promises using a single measure:

• retirement from 55
• free public transport
• a rent cap at 1989 levels

On paper, it is the kind of political “one fix” idea that makes satire writers salivate. In the show, it triggers an immediate reaction from a well-known electric car developer who also owns a microblogging service. The story’s central pattern is simple and effective: things start to feel like nothing can go wrong, then everything does.

The emotional hook is the final reassurance that you are not watching cynical helplessness. When panic hits, the message lands as a local truth: nobody intends to sell Berlin. That is the show’s balancing act. It is critical, but it is not nihilistic.

For you, that means the evening is likely to land in two layers:

1) You laugh because the connections feel ridiculous.

2) You get irritated or reflective because the underlying issues feel familiar.

That is a strong reason to book this if you like political comedy that has a point, not just jokes.

The show style: fast cabaret, black humor, and music that keeps it moving

This anniversary program is described as fast-paced cabaret, with topical and subtle social criticism and lots of music. That matters, because it shapes how you experience the jokes.

Instead of long speeches, you get quick scenes that keep momentum high. Instead of humor that only lives in one-liners, you get musical beats that help set the tone and underline the satire. When the show turns darker, the music helps you stay engaged rather than drifting out.

It is also designed to feel close and direct. The description emphasizes political satire up close, uncensored and live. That is a key distinction from big-theatre productions where the distance softens impact. Here, the format is built for immediacy. You feel like you are watching decisions being mocked in real time, not reading a news column.

The overall feel is Berlin serenity combined with a biting edge. That is an odd phrase, but it fits the style: calm presentation, sharp content. If you are the type who likes humour that does not ask for permission, this is likely your kind of night.

Who is on stage: the STACHELSCHWEINE cast and creative team

You are not just buying a title. You are buying the performance team behind it. The cast listed for this program is:

• Santina Maria Schrader
• Mirja Henking
• Sebastian Stert

The writing credits are:

• Frank Lüdecke
• Sören Sieg

The director is Frank Lüdecke, with music by Luca Fazioli and arrangements by Martin Rosengarten.

Why should you care about these names? Because cabaret lives or dies by timing and control. Great satire is not only about words. It is about how quickly characters shift, how confidently the actors land in comedy, and how smoothly the music cues shift the rhythm.

With a named director and an explicit music and arrangement team, you can expect a show that treats musical moments as part of the storytelling, not as background decoration. For your enjoyment, that increases the odds that the show stays sharp for the full 2 hours.

Also, the show’s title and long-running identity suggest consistent performers and a consistent style. When a theatre has a signature like this, the audience is usually there for the voice, not just the plot.

Price and value: is 45 dollars worth a 2-hour cabaret?

The ticket price is $45 per person, for a duration of about 2 hours (starting times vary, check availability).

On pure dollars per hour, cabaret can look like a “culture cost” compared with a museum day. But this kind of show delivers something museums usually cannot: live, topical, political comedy that reacts in the moment through performance energy.

Here is how I’d judge value for you:

• Small group limit (up to 6 participants): You get more intimacy than in bigger venues. That can make the show feel more personal and less like a broadcast.
• Uncensored, uncensored-style satire and live performance: You cannot fake that atmosphere. Even if the topic overlaps with what you read online, the staging makes it hit differently.
• German language requirement: This cuts both ways. If you speak German well, the value jumps because you get all the nuance. If you do not, the value drops fast because the timing and wordplay will pass you.

So the cost is not “cheap,” but it can be a very efficient night of real Berlin culture if you match the language and mood.

Seating and practical comfort: categories, vouchers, and how to not lose time

You can choose a seating category, but not exact seats. That means you should not treat the booking as a guarantee for a perfect view line. Still, in a cabaret theatre, the difference between seat positions can matter less than in ultra-formal performances, especially if actors use the space actively.

Two practical items matter a lot for your first 15 minutes:

• You must exchange your voucher at the box office before the performance begins.
• You should plan to arrive early enough to find the basement entrance at the Europacenter, settle in, and handle the exchange without rushing.

On comfort, the show is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is a plus if you need barrier-aware planning. If you book, you should also arrive with a little extra buffer so staff can help you get seated smoothly.

Language is the other major factor. The play is in German, and knowledge of German is required. There is no note here about surtitles or translated materials, so assume you are on your own language-wise.

A good fit if you like Berlin’s bite, a warning if you do not

This anniversary program is a strong match for:

• people who enjoy political satire and topical humour
• travellers who like cabaret that includes music, not just comedy dialogue
• anyone who wants to spend an evening in Berlin that feels current, not touristy

It is a weaker match if:

• you struggle with German, especially quick dialogue and wordplay
• you want a low-stress, purely relaxing night
• you prefer comedy that avoids economic and political themes

The good news is that even if the topics feel intense, the show is designed as cabaret, not a lecture. It aims to keep you moving through laughter, panic, and a final reminder that Berlin matters.

Short sanity check: timing, duration, and what to pair it with

Because this is about a 2-hour show, I like it as a centerpiece for an evening. You can do a normal dinner beforehand or afterwards, but keep the show start time close enough that you are not sprinting between plans.

Also, since you end back at the meeting point, you can easily plan a short walk or transit connection afterward. Just remember the meeting point is not at a street-level theatre door. It is down in the basement entrance area of the Europacenter.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the show?

The theater entrance is in the basement of the Europacenter.

How long is the experience?

It lasts about 2 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How much does it cost?

The price is $45 per person.

Is the performance in English?

No. The play is performed in German, and knowledge of German is required.

Can I choose my exact seat?

You can choose a seating category, but not exact seats.

Do I need to exchange a voucher?

Yes. You need to exchange your voucher at the box office before the performance begins.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Is this a small-group show?

Yes. It is limited to 6 participants.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

Should you book this anniversary cabaret program?

If you can follow German comfortably and you enjoy political satire with a musical cabaret pace, I’d book it. For $45, the value is strongest when you want an authentic Berlin night that is close, uncensored, and designed to make you laugh while thinking about the real-world angles behind the jokes.

If German is shaky for you, or you want a gentle evening, skip it. In this format, language is not a minor detail. It is the product.

If you do book, arrive with time to find the Europacenter basement entrance and handle the voucher exchange. Then settle in and let the 2028 chaos play out. That is where the fun is.