Gro�es Haus 6 June at 20.00 h 7, 8, 9 and 10 June at 20.00 h

The Persians

Duration: appr. 130 minutes, no interval

Aeschylus� play �The Persians� constitutes the very first medialization of war and history in the theatre, written in 1075 verses, 500 of which are spoken by the chorus. It is the protagonist in this tragedy. The production directed by Claudia Bosse takes up this basic idea from the oldest aesthetic practice in European culture: a chorus of citizens is at the centre of her work. Accompanied by theoretical lectures, Bosse�s theatre sets in motion a radical exploration of the play�s language. After this unique rehearsal method, which also provoked a discussion about theatre and forms of democracy, the citizens now step onto their stage at the Staatstheater. Their chorus is a complex organism of bodies and biographies in dialogue with themselves, the others, the movement and the text. The audience becomes part of the body of this chorus and in order to experience at first hand the events of the play.

The audience will be on stage with the choir. Please ask the box office for further information.
There will be an audience talk after the performance on 7 June. Admission free.

A co-production of Festival THEATERFORMEN, Staatstheater Braunschweig and theatercombinat wien.
The French language premiere of �gr�500-les perses� took place in November 2006 as a co-production of theatercombinat wien and Th��tre du Gr�tli in Geneva.