King Ubu (König Ubu)
by Alfred Jarry
Fat and cowardly Father Ubu is instigated by his power-obsessed wife Mother Ubu to commit regicide. He treacherously massacres the entire royal family and usurps the Polish crown. Once on the throne, Father Ubu blatantly pursues his own goals of wealth and power. All noblemen are executed in the "debraining machine", their possessions are confiscated and the judges are dismissed – from then on, Father Ubu is personally in charge of justice. The financial system is reformed by introducing exorbitant taxes. The people do not allow these effronteries to carry on for long. Led by the rightful heir to the throne, the king’s only surviving son, an uprising is staged. Then even the Russian Tsar intervenes in the conflict and a bloody war ensues. Alfred Jarry's absurdly comic play about low instincts, greed and abuse of power sparked a huge scandal at its premiere in 1896 and is considered today the most important precursor of modern theatre. Ubu Rex is the prototype of the philistine egomaniac and impertinent tyrant – the kind whose influence cannot be ignored throughout history and which still has an impact today.
An adaption by András Dömötör and Meike Schmitz
An adaption by András Dömötör and Meike Schmitz
Premiere November 30, 2016
Since April 2017 in the Kammerspiele
Since April 2017 in the Kammerspiele
Elias Arens
Božidar Kocevski
Linda Pöppel
Zitty
Hungarian director András Dömötör has staged this pre-Dada classic in Sigi Colpe's puppet-show set in an absolutely delightful way. Marionette-like, with a splendid mix of lightness and exaggeration, as well as an irrepressible desire for metamorphosis, the trio of performers – Elias Arens, Bozidar Kocewski and Linda Pöppel – romp to their heart's content. Allusions to Ubu plagiarism in current political affairs is included. It is intelligent, uninhibited and, despite its trashiness, played with tremendous attention to detail. When Ubu and Bordure keep on trying to mow each other down at the superhero showdown, the children’s bedroom fight is perfect for adults: brutal, funny and full of energy.
Hungarian director András Dömötör has staged this pre-Dada classic in Sigi Colpe's puppet-show set in an absolutely delightful way. Marionette-like, with a splendid mix of lightness and exaggeration, as well as an irrepressible desire for metamorphosis, the trio of performers – Elias Arens, Bozidar Kocewski and Linda Pöppel – romp to their heart's content. Allusions to Ubu plagiarism in current political affairs is included. It is intelligent, uninhibited and, despite its trashiness, played with tremendous attention to detail. When Ubu and Bordure keep on trying to mow each other down at the superhero showdown, the children’s bedroom fight is perfect for adults: brutal, funny and full of energy.
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Leverkusen
23. November 2018
23. November 2018