a r c h e t y p e  m a r i e
p e r f o r m a n c e / p r e m i e r e  2 0 0 2

Marie is an archetypal female figure.
She can be described in emblematic terms.
Her name is already emblematic.
Marie is mystery.
Marie is sexuality.
Marie is greed.
Marie is dishonesty.
Marie is an adulteress.
She is a grievous sinner.
She is the one who cannot help herself.
In the end, of course, she is the victim: a dead corpse.
 
 
Within this creation we continue both, the series of female archetypes, as well as our interest in Buchner's text 'Woyzeck'. The main female character in Buchner's play inspires the creation.
Following the question 'Who is Woyzeck', we look at Marie more closely. Therefore our focal point is the question: 'Who is Marie?'
The real, historical Marie [Johanna Christiane Woost] appears to have been altogether an unremarkable middle age slut. Buchner makes no attempt to flesh her out fully. On the contrary, he is economical to the point of mystification. Marie [as Woyzeck] happens to be an exemplar of human existence in its most universal and defenseless mode.
The performance itself is realized with 3 female performers. Combining fragments of Buchner's text as monologues together with movement sections and autobiographical elements, the performers try to incorporate three dimensions of an archetypal figure within one performance - portrait.