Steampunk Dreamscapes: Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Gets a Victoriana Twist at Bad Hersfelder Festspiele - Rehearsals in Full Swing
Festival's Steampunk Shakespeare Rehearsals Kick Off - Steampunk-themed rehearsal showcasing Shakespearean plays prepared for upcoming festivals
Get ready for an outrageous, steam-powered spin on Shakespeare's beloved comedy! The departing artistic director, Joern Hinkel, is brewing a whimsical extravaganza filled with laughter, tunes, and a dash of madness for this year's Bad Hersfelder Festspiele's rendition of "A Midsummer Night's Dream", the original work of fantasy literature featuring mythical beings.
Taking center stage at the rehearsals' kickoff this week, Joern Hinkel shared, "This is one insane play, and I'm eager to make it even wilder!" He promises a "Midsummer Night in Hersfeld full of passionate, erotic love stories and slapstick comedy" set in a Victorian royal court during the latent 19th century.
The costume designs, inspired by the Steampunk aesthetic, fuse the opulence of the Victorian era with gadgetry elements, such as goggles, pocket watches, and leather corsets. The curtain will rise for the premiere on June 20.
Expected to grace the stage are familiar faces such as TV detective Erol Sander ("Mordkommission Istanbul"), Anouschka Renzi, Bettina Hauenschild, Christian Nickel, and Helena Sigal.
Known for its grand scale and long-standing traditions, the Bad Hersfelder Festspiele attracted over 103,000 attendees last year. This 74th edition will run from June 20 to August 18, and the lineup includes Schiller's "The Robbers" featuring Die Toten Hosen's music, a reunion with the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line", the play "Wie im Himmel", and Astrid Lindgren's family-friendly classic "Ronja the Robber's Daughter".
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the establishment of a European Works Council, as the Bad Hersfelder Festspiele's steampunk interpretation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" approaches its premiere on June 20. This production, set in a Victorian royal court during the latent 19th century, features a cast including Erol Sander, Anouschka Renzi, Bettina Hauenschild, Christian Nickel, and Helena Sigal, who will captivate an audience of over 100,000 expected attendees. The entertainment promises a wild and passionate reimagining of the classic play, filled with love stories, slapstick comedy, and Steampunk-inspired costumes featuring gadgets such as goggles, pocket watches, and leather corsets.
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