Juli Zeh
Juli Zeh’s new novel, »Pony Show«, premieres on 11 October 2026 in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. Together with electropop duo WEZN and the SALO String Quartet, and directed by Linda Belinda Podszus, Zeh has created an evening that goes far beyond a conventional book presentation. Literature, electronic music and string quartet come together in a stage adaptation developed specifically for the novel. Words become sound, music becomes commentary, and reading, concert and performance merge into a crossover production that brings »Pony Show« to the stage for the first time.
Please note: the event will be held in German.
Framed by this literary and musical production, Juli Zeh talks to author Justus Maria about the making of the novel and the questions at the heart of the story. In »Pony Show«, prominent publisher Bethany »Betty« Hell comes under suspicion of murdering her much younger employee and alleged lover, Fero Lebed. Betty and Fero are a perfect team – and a dangerous liaison on very thin ice. When the so-called »Loverboy case« becomes a media sensation and goes before a Hamburg jury court, Mark Steinert takes on Betty’s defence. It is the most important case of his career – and one that increasingly turns his own life upside down.
PERFORMERS
Juli Zeh reading
WEZN band
MaischaPerdelwitz vocals
PaulRichter drums, live electronics
SALO Quartett string quartet
LotteNeick violin
MarlenFischer violin
CarolineWichmann viola
AmelieRaschke violoncello
JustusMaria talk
Linda BelindaPodszus stage direction
