welt.de
Marthaler's "Wachs oder Wirklichkeit": A Surreal Exploration of Modern Anxieties
Christoph Marthaler's "Wachs oder Wirklichkeit," premiering at Berlin's Volksbühne, uses a wax museum setting to explore themes of longing and existential unease, blending music, fragmented text, and acting to create a surreal atmosphere.
- How does Marthaler's use of music and text contribute to the overall artistic effect and thematic exploration in "Wachs oder Wirklichkeit"?
- Marthaler's work, blending music and theater, explores themes of longing and the search for meaning in a fragmented world. The play uses excerpts from Jürg Laederach's works, mirroring the fragmented nature of communication and the search for connection. The performance features both veteran and new Volksbühne actors, creating a multi-generational dialogue.
- What is the central theme explored in Christoph Marthaler's "Wachs oder Wirklichkeit", and how does it reflect contemporary societal anxieties?
- Christoph Marthaler's "Wachs oder Wirklichkeit" marks a fantastic return to Berlin's Volksbühne, drawing inspiration from Hamburg's Panoptikum wax museum. The stage design mirrors the museum, yet features a flooded city instead of a river, subtly hinting at catastrophe. The play blurs the line between wax figures and actors, prompting reflection on the nature of life and its potential for stagnation.
- What is the significance of the blurred lines between reality and illusion in "Wachs oder Wirklichkeit", and what implications does this ambiguity have for the audience's understanding of the play's message?
- Wachs oder Wirklichkeit" is not merely a theatrical production but a commentary on modern life's disjointed nature. Marthaler's unique style, characterized by surrealism and a focus on atmosphere, successfully conveys a sense of existential unease. The play's success suggests a continued relevance of Marthaler's approach to exploring contemporary anxieties through unconventional theatrical means.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is overwhelmingly positive, celebrating Marthaler's 'fantastic comeback' and praising the production in superlative terms ('wundervoll verspult', 'unheimlich skurril', 'fantastisches Comeback'). While this enthusiastic tone is understandable given the context of a positive review, it could potentially bias the reader's perception. The headline itself, emphasizing the 'comeback,' reinforces a narrative of triumphant return.
Language Bias
The language is largely laudatory, employing superlatives and evocative descriptions to enhance the positive portrayal of the play. Words like "fantastisches," "wundervoll," and "hinreißend" convey strong positive connotations. While such language is common in reviews, it could be moderated for greater objectivity. For instance, "fantastisches Comeback" could be toned down to "successful return."
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on the theatrical production and its artistic merit, neglecting to mention audience reception, critical reviews from other publications, or the financial success of the play. While this omission might be due to the article's focus, the lack of external perspectives limits the reader's ability to form a complete understanding of the production's impact. The article could benefit from including more diverse opinions to ensure a balanced perspective.
Sustainable Development Goals
The play uses the setting of a wax museum to explore themes of life, death, and societal expectations, subtly touching upon issues of social class and representation. While not explicitly stated, the juxtaposition of historical and contemporary figures within a decaying urban landscape can be interpreted as a commentary on societal disparities and the unequal distribution of power and opportunities.