"Der Hauptmann von Köpenick" is a play written by Carl Zuckmayer in 1931, based on a true story from 1906. It tells the tale of Wilhelm Voigt, a shoemaker who, frustrated by his life and the bureaucracy of the German Empire, impersonates a captain in the military. He seizes control of a small town, Köpenick, and orders the local authorities to hand over the town's treasury. The play explores themes of authority, identity, and social injustice. It highlights the absurdity of rigid bureaucratic systems and the power dynamics between individuals and institutions. Voigt's actions serve as a critique of the societal norms of his time, making the story both humorous and thought-provoking.