Theatre and Myth

26th Drama Festival at Lake Constance
22nd-28th March 2010

After the festival’s theme „Suspense?!“ in 2009 we are facing a theme in 2010 that is nevertheless suspenseful.

In its ambiguity it deals with mythological contents, which became the sources of drama and theatre on the one hand. Antigone, King Oedipus, Medea or the Trojan Wars are timeless pieces of theatre whose characters, messages and form are still valid today, after 4000 years, without having lost their power of fascination. If we take a closer look, almost every story of today, on stage and silver screen alike, has already been told in ancient times. Throughout history, myths and legends were created. No culture, no ethnic group can do without them. Their myths are their cores of identity and art is their medium and forum.

Popular theatre has used these fascinating mythical sources for its development, too.

On the other hand, the festival’s theme deals with theatre being a legend itself. It creates its own heroes in the shape of authors, directors and actors/actresses. Productions can become legendary because they create a new and different perspective. In an environment in which reproducibility dominates the cultural market at any place and at any time, distinctions begin to blur. Surely this can be interesting, but there is also the significant danger of a big loss.

Because of its uniqueness of moment and impression theatre serves as a counterworld to this. It relies on its audience, it has to be aware of its roots, it has to tell stories in a unique and authentic way and it has to reinvent itself again and again. Until today, this happens through the ancient, timeless themes and characters. Legends and myths still are the source and core of the fascinating art of theatre.

Closing Date of application

Interested workshop leaders: 15.09.2009
Theatre companies: 15.11.2009