The Nibelungen Festival Worms

Moritz Rinke, one of the most important contemporary playwrights and dramatists of the year 2001, has re-written the classical work for the festival in Worms.

As part of this, he took the original narrative parts into account and has created a production for the stage that recreates the Nibelungen, from Siegfried’s first encounter with Brunhild to Kriemhild’s revenge, with irony and humour.

In August 2002, the drama had its premiere in front of the legendary steps (where the quarrel between the queens flared up) and with the majestic backdrop of Worms cathedral.

The new directorship wishes to produce a more condensed version of the Hebbel play for 2004 and 2005. The plan is to cast the actors of the Rinke play in the same roles in the Hebbel play. This results in a unique constellation: for the first time, people will have the opportunity to compare the classical version with the modern version.

The rather dark speech of Hebbel should not lead to an expansion, but rather to a studio theatre type of condensed play. And so, the south side of the cathedral seems too wide and too open. The plan is to perform the play in front of the north side of the cathedral.

This means finding and developing a site for the stage but still using the cathedral as a “main player” of the festival. A renowned film, TV and theatre director is currently under discussion for the production.

In 2006 and 2007, a large production of the Rinke play will once again be performed on the south side of the cathedral but with a completely new cast. In 2008, the premiere of a completely new play will take place.

(Photos: Rudolf J. Uhrig)