Queen’s love and destruction
“Blissful love does not interest me in theater – under no circumstances. Love is a wonderful thing, but life exists for death. We live to die. As is the case with Penthesilea. We fall in love to live and endure the inevitable. Beyond the romance, there is tragedy. And, perhaps, that’s why it is poetic. I, too, am a tragic figure, not a romantic one…» notes the leading director Peter Stein, bearing in mind his upcoming production of «Penthesilea.» The play will make its world premiere at the Epidaurus Theater on June 21 and 22, which will be the venue’s opening performances for the season. Then it will head off for the ancient theaters of Syracuse in Italy, Merida in Spain, and Carnuntum in Austria. A series of further European performances have been scheduled for next winter. Penned by the German writer Heinrich von Kleist in 1807, four years prior to the tormented artist’s act of suicide at the aged of 34, the play explores the link between love, lust, dominance and, ultimately, destruction, through the ancient myth of Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons, and Achilles, her object of desire. Penthesilea, who fights for Troy after Hector’s death, disrupts the Trojan War to pursue Achilles. Eventually, she is fatally wounded by the warrior Achilles, who falls in love with the daring Amazon queen after killing her, moved by her courage and beauty. The production’s 60-member team is made up of actors from Milan’s renowned Piccolo Teatro and will be rendered in Italian. Greek subtitles will accompany the local performances. Stein’s wife, Maddalena Crippa, has been cast for the production’s title role, while her Italian compatriot Graziano Piazza will play Achilles. Other cast members include Anita Bartolucci as the high priestess, Guiseppe Antignati as Odysseus, Giorgio Lupano as Diomedes, and Pia Lanciotti as Prothoe. The leading Greek stage designer Dionyssis Fotopoulos, who frequently collaborates with Stein, is credited with the set design. As for other Greek contributions, 16 local actresses and dancers have been cast for the play’s 32-member chorus of Amazons. The Oscar award-winning Franca Scuarciapino has designed the costumes, Arturo Annecchino is credited with the music, and Andre Gingras the choreography. Stein’s «Penthesilea» is a co-production of the Athens-based Attiki Cultural Society, Change Performing Arts, and the festivals of Syracuse, Merida, and Carnuntum. The local municipality of Asklipio will participate in this summer’s Epidaurus events with this production.
