Clash at the Gravel: Nibelungen Festival showcases 'Sea of Ashes' performance - Conflict at the gravel pit - Nibelungen festivals stage "Lake of Brimstone"
In the historic city of Worms, the Nibelungen Festival is currently hosting a contemporary adaptation of the medieval epic, "Ash Lake". Written by renowned German playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig, this high-level spoken theatre production has been a sensation, with all performances selling out before the first show.
Directed by Mina Salehpour, "Ash Lake" is staged as a dark morality play of the Nibelungen myth, eschewing traditional blood and sword aesthetics. The play covers the entire saga, from the murder of Siegfried by Hagen to Kriemhild's revenge.
Kriemhild Hamann shines in her portrayal of the revenge-thirsty Kriemhild, while Jasmin Tabatabai delivers a demanding performance as Brunhild, seeking retribution when the sexualized violence becomes public. Wolfram Koch plays Hagen, portraying him as a loyal murderer who would rather kill than doubt. Lisa Natalie Arnold embodies the crucial role of the leaf that covers a spot on Siegfried's neck.
The play takes place on a stage covered in approximately 600 tons of gravel, making it unstable for the characters. The world of life collides with force as the evening light fades, with swifts squeaking and a siren wailing in the distance. The dragon in "Ash Lake" is played as a projection, not as a monster.
The set design features white plastic chairs and a shimmering, sluggish water surface reflecting the Kaiser's Cathedral. The performance runs for three hours, including a break, and ends dramatically with flames shooting out of the water.
Roland Schimmelpfennig, one of the most performed contemporary playwrights in Germany, has radically reinterpreted the Nibelungenlied, making "Ash Lake" a must-see for theatre lovers. The play is still running until July 27, so don't miss your chance to witness this dark and thought-provoking adaptation.
During the run of the Nibelungen Festival in Worms, the commission has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the unstable stage covered in gravel used in the powerful production of Roland Schimmelpfennig's contemporary adaptation of "Ash Lake". After the three-hour performance, one might be left contemplating the morality of the retribution-seeking characters, providing an unexpected fusion of medieval epics and modern-day concerns, making it an ideal choice for both theatre enthusiasts and those interested in the intersection of entertainment and social issues.
