When does The three ??? and the Salt Dead take place?

The event starts on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 19:30.

Where does the audio play take place?

The audio play evening takes place at the Mannheim Planetarium, Wilhelm-Varnholt-Allee 1, 68165 Mannheim.

How much does admission cost?

The regular admission price is 18 euros.

What age is the event suitable for?

The immersive audio play is recommended for adults and children from ten years.

How long does the event last?

The duration is about 102 minutes.

What is the case about?

The three detectives investigate the mysterious disappearance of a so-called Salt Witch at the Salton Sea, newly appearing letters, and eerie hauntings.

The three ??? and the Salt Dead: A literary audio adventure under Mannheim's stars

Name: The three ??? and the Salt Dead
Start: 2026-10-18T19:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-18T21:12:00+02:00
Location: Planetarium Mannheim

The three ??? and the Salt Dead: An immersive audio play under the starry sky

When Justus Jonas, Peter Shaw, and Bob Andrews investigate in the Mannheim Planetarium, a classic crime case becomes an intense literary experience. The event combines the cult universe of the three ??? with spatial 3D sound, atmospheric visualizations, and the unique reading atmosphere of a 360° dome.

A mysterious case at the Salton Sea

No one knows why the so-called Salt Witch of the Salton Sea in California suddenly disappeared many years ago. Did she drown in the lake after spreading terror with voodoo and ghost salt? When letters from the witch appear and strange hauntings begin, the three detectives start their investigations. Together with their old acquaintance Professor Barrister, they try to unravel the mystery of the Salt Dead.

Language art, suspense, and spatial sound

The audio play adaptation by Kai Schwind combines the narrative precision of the crime genre with an artistic sound direction. Voices, sounds, and music move precisely through space thanks to innovative 3D audio technology. This creates a dense atmosphere that makes familiar characters immediately and physically perceivable.

The planetarium as a stage for a literary audio adventure

The 360° dome of the planetarium expands the narrative with atmospheric, dark visualizations. Dark images, acoustic closeness, and the closed spatial effect create an exciting interplay of audio play, film, and theater. The literary quality of the evening lies in the combination of character guidance, puzzle structure, suspense curve, and sensual staging.

A cult case for young and adult literature fans

The texts by Kari Erlhoff and Christoph Dittert come from experienced authors in the cosmos of the three ???. The production by EUROPA and HO3RRAUM MEDIA is aimed at adults and children from the age of ten. Fans of the series experience Justus, Peter, and Bob in a new dimension; curious visitors discover a modern narrative format between youth crime, audio play art, and immersive cultural events.

Conclusion: Suspense that arises in the middle of the room

Visitors can expect a roughly 102-minute audio play adventure with spatial sound, dark images, and a case full of clues, letters, and supernatural puzzles. Those who want to experience the three ??? not only as listeners but as an author encounter with a unique reading atmosphere will find the right place for this special evening in the Mannheim Planetarium.