“A New Race, Invincible and Vast”: An Exploration of the National Socialist Thingspiel Das Frankenburger Würfelspiel's Methods to Create Community

Abstract

This project investigates the 1936 Berlin Olympics theatre production Das Frankenburger Würfelspiel, an example of the National Socialist theatre movement the Thingspiel. The goal is to explore the methods intended by Das Frankenburger Würfelspiel to create a national community. This has been done by examining how the production’s narrative, the participants’ experiences, and the production’s use of site contributed to creating this community. Upon this examination, it becomes clear that the plot of the production presented a revised historical narrative, imbued with ideological content, intended to modify German social memory. Additionally, this research found that the production’s performance style enabled its participants to internalise the production’s messages. The performance style also helped to bond participants into a community. Finally, the production’s use of site allowed participants to solidify their connection to National Socialist ideology and each other. This research has also unveiled similarities between the tactics of the Thingspiel and how United States President Donald Trump courted voters during his electoral campaign and into the present day. Through showing how the Nazi party conceptualised the Thingspiel to create community, this research highlights the cultural machinations of fascism.