Elektra in the theater: courage, revenge and creative lighting staging!

Elektra in the theater: courage, revenge and creative lighting staging!

Courage, Österreich - On February 28, 2025, an impressive theater production was presented, which began with a trigger warning at the entrance, as nofe.orf.at . The performance, which included elements such as loud noises and bright light, is characterized by an innovative lighting design by Lukas Kaltenbäck. Andreas Lungschmid's stage design includes an unusual linkage construction in a basement room that is equipped with showers, but this does not provide water. This dark association with Agamemnon's murder history and the connection to historical atrocities increase the effect of the performance.

The central figures, especially the king's daughter Elektra, which is powerfully embodied by Petra Staduan, show impressive emotional depth that fluctuates between hatred, despair and a striving for freedom. Cultural scientist Wolfgang Müller-Funk described Elektra as a "problematic heroine" who is obsessed with revenge on her mother Klytämnestra and her lover. This representation is supplemented by the erratic performance by Nina C. Gabriel as a Klytämnestra and the unconventional role of Lukas Haas as a returned brother Orest. Pippa Galli stands out as Chrysothemis, a young woman who fights for her right to a free life from family conflicts.

Festival "Courage"

The performance took place as part of the “Wordweg” festival in 2025, whose motto is “Courage”. The festival provides further productions and discussions on the current topics of the theater until March 30. Anna Luca Krassnigg, the artistic direction, emphasized that "Courage" stands not only for courage, but also for courage and empathy. These topics are particularly relevant if you look at the historical references and the complex characters of the staging.

In addition to the cultural aspects, the relevance of the Enlightenment in the Habsburg monarchy is emphasized by the works of Joseph von Sonnenfels, which is considered a prominent representative for the development of the political landscape and the educational movement, as in a text on Academia.edu . His approaches to political education and reformist thinking are closely associated with today's understanding of social responsibility and political action.