Iambic pentameter gets a surreal makeover in this pop-opera romp through Shakespeare’s sonnets from director Robert Wilson and composer Rufus Wainwright. The Bard’s enigmatic poems are pared down to 25 selections, set to everything from medieval German Minnesang to cabaret rock and performed by Bertolt Brecht’s historic Berliner Ensemble. As pallid, genderqueer[1] dramatis personæ, the virtuosic performers smirk and sneer through expressionistic slapstick, while Wilson’s signature sculpting of time, light[2], and gesture evokes an absurdist dream.
Cast and Creative team for Shakespeare's Sonnets at Peter Jay Sharp Building
Berliner Ensemble By Robert Wilson and Rufus Wainwright Sonnet selection by Jutta Ferbers
Directing, stage design, lighting concept by Robert Wilson Music by Rufus Wainwright Costume design by Jacques Reynaud Conducted by Hans-Jörn Brandenburg, Stefan Rager Co-direction by Ann-Christin Rommen Lighting by Andreas Fuchs and Ulrich Eh