"Credere alle maschere" at the Festwochen: Death plays along

Italian director Romeo Castellucci explores the darker aspects of theatrical magic with his latest work, "Credere alle maschere." The piece, which premiered at the Triennale Milano and is now being presented at the Wiener Festwochen, challenges audiences to confront symbols and their meanings. Castellucci is known for his provocative productions, such as "Le Metope del Partenone," which depicted ten accidents and deaths, and his staging of "Don Giovanni" that began in a secularized church space.

In "Credere alle maschere," objects like a glass of milk, a bouquet of flowers, and a stuffed fox are carried onto the stage. These are accompanied by words displayed on a screen that appear incongruous: "Hammer" with the milk, "Face" with the flowers, and "Horse" with the fox. The performance then introduces a crucifix, followed by a gas bottle emitting gas, a gas mask, and a speaker playing Wagner's "Ring." A pipe releases fog, and an image of Charlie Chaplin appears before an electric chair is brought onto the stage.

The electric chair remains center stage, creating an atmosphere of suspense. The audience is left to ponder whether they should participate, as actors in past productions have done, or disrupt the performance. The director seems to question the audience's willingness to engage with the unsettling themes, suggesting that people are often too passive to break the perceived barrier between theater and reality, even when invited to do so.

Castellucci's work consistently pushes the boundaries of theatrical experience, forcing viewers to question their own responses to staged representations of life and death. "Credere alle maschere" continues this tradition, leaving a lasting impression through its unsettling imagery and its direct engagement with the audience's role in the theatrical event.