A show inside a cathedral featured raw chickens in diapers. The German president was in the audience

BERLIN — An unusual performance took place inside a Catholic cathedral in Germany earlier this month, sparking controversy and apologies from church and municipal leaders. The show, titled “Westphalia Side Story,” featured raw, plucked chickens in diapers on stage, with the country’s president and local archbishop in attendance. The provocative nature of the performance led to concerns that it may have offended religious sensibilities.

The event, held on May 15 to commemorate the 1,250th anniversary of Westphalia, a region in northwestern Germany, featured performers singing and dancing with dead chickens on stage. Video footage captured the bizarre spectacle, which included references to a popular pop song from the 1980s.

The performance company responsible for the show, bodytalk, clarified that the display was part of a work-in-progress preview for “Westphalia Side Story,” a production inspired by the American musical “West Side Story.” The full show is set to debut in September as part of the anniversary celebrations.

While some viewed the performance as a satirical take on the region’s history, others found it disrespectful and offensive. An online petition demanding an apology from the archbishop and a reconsecration of the cathedral garnered thousands of signatures.

In response to the backlash, the cathedral and local authorities issued statements expressing regret for any offense caused. They emphasized that the content of the performance was not fully disclosed to organizers or venue staff beforehand. Moving forward, they pledged to exercise greater caution in approving future events at the cathedral.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the German President’s office has yet to comment on the matter.

Philipp Jenne contributed to this report from Vienna.