Regie restart in the Burgtheater: Philipp Stölzl staged Liliom

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Philipp Stölzl, known for his impressive directorial work in film and opera, returns to the Burgtheater on December 6th to bring Ferenc Molnár's play on the stage. Stölzl, who originally started as a stage designer, has made a name for himself in the music theater and in the cinema, among other things with productions for Rammstein and Madonna as well as films such as "Nordwand". In an interview with the APA, he talks about his return to the spoken theater and the multi -layered role of "liliom" in today's world.

The director explains that his passion for the spectacle has grown, especially because the intensity of the theater enables him to explore deeper emotions and characters. In contrast to the film, when the time for deep work with the actors is often limited, the theater offers the opportunity to work on figures for weeks and to deal with them.

a new understanding of "liliom"

"Liliom" is a piece that strongly reminds of Greek tragedies in its depth and emotional complexity, says Stölzl. He advocates reinterpreting the work and finding out what it means for today's audience. In contrast to previous views, the central figure Liliom, which is perceived as abusive, could be viewed more critically today. Stölzl emphasizes that society now has less tolerance towards toxic relationships and that this also affects the interpretation of the piece. His staging follows the approach of showing the characters as complex people who are trapped in their own dramatic struggles.

In the staging, the sky, as described by Molnár, is not taken up. Instead, there is a realism that leaves no place for clichés or simple pacifiers. The scenery is minimalistic, which directs the focus on people and their emotional conflicts. Stölzl thus creates a narrative style that enables the audience to dive deeply into the characters while at the same time taking a look at the social abyss.

change in the theater landscape

Another remarkable element of the staging is the decision that Stefanie Reinsperger plays the role of liliom. Stölzl emphasizes that gender roles in the theater have to be rethinked and that the cast of a man brings an interesting perspective into the staging by a woman. This form of occupation would be a sign that the theater becomes more open and diverse, which it sees as a very positive step.

The premiere of "Liliom" is only the first step for Stölzl, who plans to spend more time in the theater in the future. While he continues to stay active in the film and opera area, he is primarily drawn to the stage work that fulfills him as an artist. Stölzl recently worked on a continuation of the film "The Medicus", which is to be released in 2024. The staging of "liliom" offers an exciting way not only to reinterpret the piece itself, but also to look at the entire theater world in a fresh way. The performance at the Burgtheater is expected for December 6th at 7:30 p.m. with further appointments in December and January.

For those interested, there are more details on this fascinating topic at www.s.at .