Worms makes historical past, as soon as once more. In one of many oldest cities in Rhineland-Palatinate, the nationwide fable of the Nibelungs is being reassessed – by, of all issues, a British theater firm. Les Enfants Terribles is the title of the troupe from London, which enjoys cult standing in England – well-known for visually putting productions between masquerade, circus and efficiency artwork. On Friday (July seventeenth) her Worms Nibelungen play “The Hun Queen” celebrates its celebratory premiere. The competition runs till August 2nd.
For director Nico Hofmann the collaboration is extra than simply an unique visitor look. “We needed a special look,” he says. The British convey with them “this black humor, this sense of tragicomedy”. He expects “actual fertilization – aesthetic, emotional, theatrical.”
Why the world is on hearth
The ensemble is led by Oliver Lansley and James Seager. Her works usually look like a dream after midnight: poetic, grotesque, playful. And typically a little bit scary.
This time the main focus is on the Burgundian princess Kriemhild, who strikes to the Hun camp after the demise of the dragon slayer Siegfried and turns into probably the most highly effective girl on the continent. “The Hun Queen” is “a theatrical rollercoaster journey,” emphasize the organizers. “In the midst of this, a personality exhibits how far he’s prepared to go to revive justice – even when it means setting the world on hearth.”
Creative director Thomas Laue has been witnessing for months how the British are dismantling and reassembling the German fable. “It is going to be attention-grabbing,” says Laue. “What occurs whenever you come from completely different theater cultures and take a look at this materials from completely different views?”
The stage in entrance of the cathedral has its personal guidelines
For Laue, this yr’s manufacturing is among the greatest ready because the competition started in 2002. The British troupe has been engaged on the fabric for years. “It’s loopy how meticulously they plan,” he says. We’ve got met a number of instances London met. Nonetheless, many issues will solely be determined in Worms. As a result of the stage in entrance of the cathedral has “its personal legal guidelines”.
Above all, the manufacturing depends extra closely on music. For this, the competition gained the internationally profitable musician Alice Merton, who achieved her breakthrough with the worldwide hit “No Roots”. The singer will likely be stay on stage each night. “I’ve by no means made music for theater earlier than,” says Merton.
When the request got here, she was initially uncertain. “My coronary heart instantly mentioned sure,” says the musician. On the similar time, she was fearful “that I’d disappoint individuals.” So she wrote some songs as a check. The musician Alexander Wolfe created materials that impressed the competition.
A narrative stuffed with violence, betrayal and revenge
The songs ought to be greater than background music, says Merton. “On the one hand, they accompany what is going on. Then again, music can straight affect the viewers. You see one thing, however it’s supported by music.”
Stability is essential, particularly with a fabric stuffed with violence, betrayal and revenge. “It ought to be an emotional journey, nevertheless it shouldn’t be overwhelming,” says Merton. Theater has to breathe. «There’s music that may be a little quieter. Then there may be music that drives you.” For the primary time, the singer additionally wrote German lyrics for the piece.
Maria Dragus can also be breaking new floor. The award-winning actress (“The White Ribbon”) is on stage in Worms for the primary time. “I’ve by no means completed theater earlier than.” Accordingly, she feels “a really blended emotional expertise with a really constructive tone.”
Shakespeare on the Rhine
The 30-year-old will not be afraid. Working with the British administrators corresponds carefully to their very own approach of working. “We converse a little bit of the identical language,” says Dragus. The so-called bodily theater, i.e. a recreation with a robust bodily focus, is a part of their approach anyway.
Your Kriemhild is not going to be a one-dimensional avenger. Behind each retaliation there may be human ache, emphasizes Dragus. She first has to search out out which Kriemhild will likely be on stage on the finish. “It’s a course of.” However one factor is definite for her: “It can undoubtedly not be boring.” That is what it is going to be for ensemble with, amongst others, Aram Tafreshian (“The Energy Plant”) and Jeanette Hain (“Work with out an Writer”).
This yr, the viewers has the chance to take a seat notably near the motion: for the primary time, two further stands are being constructed on the facet of the principle enjoying space. The transfer is solely in step with the stage association of the well-known playwright William Shakespeare – a nod to British theater artwork.
The organizers introduced in the beginning of the week that tickets had been solely accessible for these ranks (worth 60 to 71 euros). The principle stand with round 1,400 seats is already offered out for all performances. “For us, this excellent advance sale is a superb affirmation of the work of the previous few years,” says director Hofmann. “It seems that the Nibelungen Competition has established itself as a everlasting cultural spotlight.”
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