Theater Review
Faust Goethe
Landestheater Detmold, 10.04.04 (in German)
Well... don't I feel intelectual; seeing such high culture in Europe. Now, if only I understood anything
that they were saying... :-)
All the same, this was good to see. A bit was clear through the action on stage, and I had (quickly,)
read through a quarter of the script (in English) beforehand. I certainly want to finish reading the
script now, and better understand what I saw. Otherwise, there is not (can not) be much to say. The
parts I most look forward to reading are a tavern scene (where Mestophiles first takes Faust,) and the
singing of Gretchen, alone in her room. (Oh my, but this actress is attractive. She portrays such
simplicity, and natural, energetic beauty.)
The stage design was rather modern, not in temporal setting, or in set design, but in costumes. There was quite a bit of imitation black leather on stage. And I learned something (I will hopefully never be tempted to use this knowledge though;) that tight-fitting latex doesn't come across well to the audience. But when you go to hug your friends backstage... ughhh. How could perverts enjoy that kind of thing?
The soloists were well dressed though, and in simple, yet elegant styles. It was only the demons and witches and what-not that displayed carnality to such a degree.
So... it's time to read the text!