BERNARD KELLER

Bernard Keller is a journalist in the final stages of lung cancer. As a self-determined and strong person, he is not willing to sit back and wait for his death but ‘grabs his fate by the throat’. The goddess of destiny sends him - despite his ‘death plans’ - the challenge of facing once again his two brothers and his daughter who don't agree with him. His taste for good whiskey, cigarettes and cynicism is not helping, though. He is in a roller coaster of emotions on his last evening and night.
‘I have nothing to do with death. Death is for you, dying is for me.’ With these words Bernhard clearly makes his point. He ignores all criticism and doubts from the others, and is at peace with the world and himself. He believes he is sure about his decision, but the presence of and the questioning from his family make him see things a little bit different.

MICHAEL KELLER

The jet-lagged businessman part of the piece is represented by the ungrateful but entertaining person of Michael. He's much of a noisy ego, but bursting with life. A perfect antagonist for death. Mike cannot deal with gloomy situations and tries to cover them up with some self-made entertainment. He tries to hide his feelings and suspicions with smiles and jokes. Michael loves being in control and bossing others around, however finds it difficult to assume his older brother’s role in the family. But the bigger challenge for him seems to be how to reveal his real feelings to his brother and not wanting to let him go.

RUBEN KELLER

Ruben Keller is Ben’s youngest brother. He seems to be autistic and strongly dependent on other people’s help and care. Despite his autism, Ruben is very perceptive of the tensions in the family even though he rarely understands them. He hates scarves, is an exceptional piano player and very much attracted to his cousin Sam. He lives in his own world, where decisions like the one of his brother are okay, as well as being in love with his own niece. He expresses his emotions mainly in his music. He asks the questions nobody dares to ask. Beyond his mental detachment, there is a strong emotional connection between him and his brothers, especially Bernard.

SAM KELLER

She is a very emotional person and sometimes cannot control her feelings. She is afraid of her father’s death and strongly needs some support from her near ones. Also, she is the reason why disruptive elements like the two younger brothers appear on the last evening of a life. It is her, in her emotional confusion, who has invited Bernard’s brothers completely unaware of the old, unhealed wounds that separate them.
When the situation gets too difficult for her to cope with, she escapes into the role of the little girl she was not too long ago. She tries to blame someone for it, so sometimes she feels quite offended by Hannah and blames Robert in advance to be her father’s murderer. She is a spoiled child incapable of finding the right way to express emotions and reasoning, which sometimes leads to her being a bit “too honest”. Her confusion hurts Bernard and that hurts her.

HANNAH

Bernard’s girlfriend is Michael’s ex. A perfect setting leading to a quiet pass away evening with ‘spiritual hocus pocus’. She is a very caring person who often sacrifices her own needs in order to be there for people she loves. When it comes to Mike, she can be very bitter and aggressive. Although, years before, the people around her thought she was insane, she seems to be the only one in the family who is keeping her feet firmly on the ground. Devoting herself completely by taking care of Bernhard, she is in great danger of losing herself.
Even though she has helped Bernard through his illness to a point of exhaustion, Hannah still hasn’t fully grasped that her lover will be gone very soon. Prejudices between her and Michael play a decisive role during these times of emotional chaos.

ROBERT

The longtime friend of Bernhard, who unfortunately carries ‘death wings’ on his back, has to be able to hold a professional position in this situation. It's his dilemma: On the one hand he loses a good friend, on the other hand he helps him end his suffering. He is a calm and reserved person and tries to hide his feelings, anxieties and worries. But thanks to Ben’s good and strong whiskey, Robert makes the attempt to open up his feelings. He has a weak stomach.

april 16, 2013Posted by gooddeath@ol-projects.de