Phädra, in Flammen
by Nino Haratischwili
Directed by Nanouk Leopold
Co-production with Berliner Ensemble
World premiere
Something is rotten in the city-state of Athens. King Theseus has grown old and clings to his power; his wife Phaedra burns with longing to cast off the royal palace's rigid regulations to finally fulfill her own needs. Demophon, their firstborn, is ready as heir to the throne; he only needs to be married off. But Persea, the bride-to-be chosen by his father, causes unrest in the palace because Persea and Phaedra fall in love with each other. A scandal that according to the high priest demands a human sacrifice. The necessity of change is countered with the violence of tradition as the existing order is shaken - politically as well as privately.