Theatre: "phèdre racine/seneca"

A coproduction by théâtre du grütli, theatercombinat and association genèveberlin
Performances on May 24, 25 and 26 / 2009
Guest performance at Schauspielhaus Wien

In spite of their efforts, in spite of their pain
they could not put the body together again
Must beauty end like this? (Seneca)

phèdre – a radical disrobement of French Classic with Frederic Leidgens as Phèdre. A boxing ring is the venue of conflicts around state, territory, body, freedom and love. Absolute measure of language, excessive bodies. Except one actress the performers are around 60 years old. They act naked. Plunge into body disciplines and representation forms from baroque dance to boxing, rip open their skins with language. A spatial situation is created out of which the bodies – all bodies – are composed on the stage. By juggling with acting modes and spatial regimes, space is created for the audience as witnesses, for their movements between stage and gallery, their bodies and glances.

phèdre review is part three of tragödienproduzenten reviews (tragedy producer reviews) by theatercombinat. They are processing stagings from 2006 to 2008, confronting the texts by Aischylos, Shakespeare, Racine, Seneca and Jelinek with their implementations in various cities and spaces, with different casts and institutions. For phèdre review Claudia Bosse and the French ensemble are developing a new version of their Genevan production for Schauspielhaus Wien. (theatercombinat)

Concept + stage direction: Claudia Bosse / theatercombinat
Phèdre: Frédéric Leidgens, Hippolyte: Serge Martin, Thesée: Armand Deladoëy, Oenone/Aricie: Véronique Alain, Panope/Ismène/excerpts from Seneca: Marie-Eve Mathey-Doret, space: Alexander Schellow, consultant: Gabu Heindl, assistant director, research: Andreas Gölles, subtitle translation: Andreas Gölles, Claudia Bosse
A coproduction by théâtre du grütli, theatercombinat and association genèveberlin supported by Wien Kultur and pro helvetia, Schweizer Kulturstiftung and Erste Bank.