LU SZF Kom. Zin. 3.

kurss
Mrti Pudiks
mp12023

Robert Wilson - Shakespeare's Sonnets

Berliner Ensemble
By Robert Wilson and Rufus Wainwright
Sonnet selection by Jutta Ferbers
Robert Wilson's Shakespeare's Sonnets is a contemporary take on 25 specially
chosen sonnets from Shakespeare's cannon. Originally, there are 154 sonnets written by
Shakespeare which move fluidly between male and female objects of desire, sonnets
first published in 1609.
Play is a set with music by Rufus Wainwright and deconstructed by Wilsons
staging for the Berliner Ensemble.
During the play in combination with sonnets there are music, like classical, pop,
and cabaret rock is performed by Bertolt Brecht's historic Berliner Ensemble. The
sonnets were selected by Berliner dramaturge Jutta Ferbers who deftly adapted these
poems that were originally unintended for the theater.
Its an interesting variation of Shakespeare's Sonnets using specific techniques
and various music genres.
Wilson has changed the genders of all the characters as a comment on the
bisexuality of the sonnets. But the effect in this case is more that they all just seem
neuter, a disappointing loss to material that, in its original form, is fundamentally erotic.
The sonnets themselves, essentially deeply melancholy and yearning meditations
on the irreconcilability of love and loss, age and youth, beauty and meanness. These
sonnets ae performed by actors sometimes sung and sometimes spoken.
Most of the sonnets are performed in German, but there is some English
subtitles. This is a problem, because non-german speaking audience needs to follow the
projected dialogue above the stage and at the same time, watch the action on the stage.
But there is one good side of that performance is in german the melodies and german
lyrics make sonnets sounds very romantic, emotional and enjoyable.
The sonnets witch are in the play are in no particular order and very randomly
between those addressing the so-called Fair Youth, and speaking mostly of a serene and
spiritual love, and those addressing the figure known as the Dark Lady, more turbulent
and fraught with suffering.
There are several significantly characters which make an appearance in the play,
like from boy to fool, from the Queen of England to the mysterious Dark Lady and
Cupid, to Shakespeare himself.
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LU SZF Kom. Zin. 3. kurss

Mrti Pudiks
mp12023

Wilsons work can be exquisitely beautiful, brining audience to a dream. He

recently developed some techniques that makes audience feels like in the different
world in some different reality during the play.
The visual elements in this play is very unusual and specific I would say
stunning. First of all male actors are playing woman roles and female actresses are
playing men roles. Black costumes with white faces and the pale light in the background
making a sharp contrast. More color came in the set pieces, like white gas pumps or a
bright red car wreck. Each sonnet got its own surreal environment in which the cast
could recite it several times before moving on to the next sonnet and set.
The use of the sound effects creates a more powerful effect on this play.
Highlighting some details and action on the stage.
His signature is so recognizable, and stationary, he employs the same stylistic
markers: starkly minimalist settings, luminous backdrops on which bands of glowing
light slowly rise or fall, and actors in bright white makeup looking like merry or morbid
ghouls, gliding across the stage in ritualistic movement. Sculpting of time, light, and
gesture combined.
I see this Robert Wilsons work as a surreal makeover of Shakespeares sonnets.
I would say its more like a pop-opera witch just plays around and goes through
Shakespeares sonnets. Its very hard to find some visual narrative in this performance
its more like confounded or amusing but at the same time very emotional.