Text
William Shakespeare
Director
Ivo van Hove
Set design/Lighting design
Jan Versweyveld
Costume design
Lies van Assche
Video
Tal Yarden
Music
Eric Sleichim
Dramaturgy
Bart Van den Eynde, Jan Peter Gerrits, Alexander Schreuder
Cast
Barry Atsma, Jacob Derwig, Ren�e Fokker, Fred Goessens, Janni Goslinga, Marieke Heebink, Fedja van Hu�t, Hans Kesting, Hugo Koolschijn, Hadewych Minis, Chris Nietvelt, Frieda Pittoors, Alwin Pulinckx, Eelco Smits, Karina Smulders
Musicians
Mattijs Vanderleen, Ward Deketelaere, Yves Goemaere, Hannes Nieuwlaet
Production
Toneelgroep Amsterdam
Co-production
Holland Festival, De Munt/La Monnaie, Kaaitheater, Muziektheater Transparant,
BL!NDMAN
www.toneelgroepamsterdam.nl
Roman Tragedies
Duration: appr. 5 h 40 minutes, with short intervals
In this unprecedented theatre marathon by the excellent Toneelgroep from Amsterdam, emotional history meets the present: Shakespeare�s �Roman Tragedies�, a trilogy about power and passion, are all set in a modern-day media lounge. The audience can take their seats in the auditorium or on stage with the actors. They experience political decision-making, declarations of war and also love stories as public media events. They can leave the auditorium or come back in at any time and have a drink at one of the bars on stage. A friendly service voice and a projection announce the latest news and the minutes remaining until the next important person dies, so that nobody misses the crucial moments. Shakespeare�s plays do not present prejudices or take sides. His characters believe in political ideals and systems, he shows how they debate these � and whether or not they achieve their goals. What becomes clear: politics is made by people. Coriolanus wants to rule with arrogance and patriotic propaganda. He is killed by hate. The modern politician Caesar is a skilful opportunist and very popular. He is killed by jealousy. Anthony inherits his lover in the Middle East and kills himself. Cleopatra is the last to die after six hours. In this play about conflicting opinions, attitudes and points of view, Belgian director Ivo van Hove mixes theatre and reality in a subtle and fascinating way.
Ivo van Hove has been artistic director of the Toneelgroep Amsterdam since 2001. He is one of the most internationally sought after directors of plays and operas and has won numerous important awards. His production �Roman Tragedies� is being presented in Germany for the first time.
Rome�s influence is increased by the patricians through wars. Coriolanus is the crucial person in the battle against the Volkser. He is an apolitical soldier who fights and kills without thinking. The rise and fall of this hero is depicted like in a Greek tragedy. Coriolanus believes that he is independent and does the necessary: fight wars to maintain Rome�s identity against a hostile world.
Coriolanus does not care for applause and love – he never shows his feelings: feelings destroy his male self-image. On the other hand he turns out to be a child longing to be praised by his mother, to fulfill her high expectations. Only when he changes over to the side of the Volkser does he seem to have reached his ultimate goal: he has now proved himself as totally free and not dependent on anyone. The soldier�s tragedy takes its course when the Romans and the Volkser decide to make peace.
Cast
Aufidius Barry Atsma
Cominius Jacob Derwig
Tribune of the people Ren�e Fokker
Menenius Fred Goessens
Virgilia Janni Goslinga
First senator Marieke Heebink
Coriolanus Fedja van Hu�t
Anchorman Chris Nietvelt
Volumnia Frieda Pittoors
Brutus Alwin Pulinckx
Sicinius Eelco Smits
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar is a populist leader who knows how to make the best possible use of the media. He succeeds in turning the people�s needs into politics. And he entertains the people, even though this means increasing debts. He does not mind admitting his faults, this only makes him more attractive. Caesar�s line of politics is consequential and knows no mercy. This clarity is somehow preferable to backstage wheeling and dealing. Julius Caesar manages in the end to become the sole leader for ten years. His political allies fear that he might turn into a tyrant. They decide to kill him, but do not want anyone to think that this is just a petty putsch. The aim of the murder is to save the Republic which is threatened at its core by one person holding all the power. The murder goes according to plan, but is a political failure: Caesar�s ghost seems to remain.
Cast
Anchorman Barry Atsma
Brutus/ Lucius Jacob Derwig
Cassius Ren�e Fokker
Lepidus Fred Goessens
Calpurnia Janni Goslinga
Caska Marieke Heebink
Antony Hans Kesting
Julius Caesar Hugo Koolschijn
Octavius Caesar Hadewych Minis
Decius Eelco Smits
Portia/ Lucius Karina Smulders
Antony and Cleopatra
Rome is the global centre of power. One of the members of the triumvirate, Antony, has fallen passionately in love with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, on one of his conquests. Here lies the core of the conflict: between West and East, two opposing cultures. Disturbed by the death of his Roman wife, Antony has to return to Rome. Here Octavius, Ceasar�s adopted son, and Lepidus follow differing political lines, endangering the unity of the triumvirate. When Lepidus is done away with, the Roman Empire has two leaders left: however, Antony takes the side of Cleopatra, his great love and passion, and the East. Octavius sees this as high treason and declares war on them. Against all military strategy the lovers decide to attack Octavius at sea instead of on land. This joint military-political decision seals their love � which will develop disastrously.
Cast
Enobarbus Barry Atsma
Thidias Jacob Derwig
Lepidus Fred Goessens
Diomedes Janni Goslinga
Charmian Marieke Heebink
Agrippa Fedja van Hu�t
Antony Hans Kesting
Proculeius Hugo Koolschijn
Octavius Caesar Hadewych Minis
Cleopatra Chris Nietvelt
Iras Frieda Pittoors
Dolabella Alwin Pulinckx
Ventidius Eelco Smits
Octavia Karina Smulderss
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