In his play Der Jungste Tag (The Judgement Day) the playwright Odon von Horvath saw the rise of Nazism as an express train hurtling towards a society impervious of the terrible dangers it threatened.

It's another normal day at a small-town station, where a handful of passengers are waiting for the stopping train. Thomas Hudetz, the well-liked station master, is momentarily distracted by a young woman. Seconds later eighteen people are dead. Standing in the wreckage of the 405 Express, can Thomas accept the truth that is hurtling towards him? If not, how long can he postpone the day of judgment?

Written in 1936-37, after Horváth had been expelled by the Nazis, the play clearly was inspired by his guilt at having failed to signal the catastrophe overtaking Germany. On psychological, social and historical levels, the play also argues that life is an endless chain of cause and effect. Where, asks Horváth, did the tragedy begin? As Frau Hudetz is told by her brother: "It's all connected."

We were asked to design the promotional posters, flyers and brochures for the play premiered at the Brecht's Raum (Tokyo) by Tokyo Engeki Ensemble in March 2016.