Frankenstein Goes Open-Air

The multiple-award-winning audience favourite Andreas Klaue performs on one of the loveliest open-air stages far and wide, the Cluss Garten in Ludwigsburg. This year the programme features Frankenstein by Nick Dear, after the novel by Mary Shelley. In the production by Peter Kratz — his former clowning partner and now director of the Theatersommer Ludwigsburg — Andreas Klaue plays five different roles, demonstrating his incredible range. Within the strong four-person ensemble, Andreas Klaue delivers the most memorable scenes of the evening: for instance, when, as the creature dangling from a rope in the mountain world of Mont Blanc, he brutally confronts Frankenstein, or when, as the Low-German-speaking islander Ewan, he provides the evening's lighter moments. This is grand open-air theatre at its best! In this production there is not a second of boredom, but rather high tension achieved through subtle means. It is a drama of a special kind, a delight on the surface alone, because Peter Kratz once again finds an outstanding visual language, uses the huge stage to its full width and deploys the specially created sound collage with great refinement. Press reviews: Through his powerful physical presence and his frighteningly resonant voice, Andreas Klaue achieves a convincing portrayal of the monster. The most exciting scene of the evening, an oppressive encounter, succeeds together with Nina Maria Föhr, in a sense as beauty and the beast. – Stuttgarter Nachrichten – Andreas Klaue's portrayal of the Low-German-speaking islander Ewan provides comic moments. This is grand open-air theatre at its very best. – Bietigheimer Zeitung – The creature is played in turn by all four actors. And in every other respect there is absolute equality within an ensemble whose strong homogeneity is what makes this performance possible in the first place. Kratz knows the abilities of his actors and deploys them cleverly, so that an incredibly watchable overall picture emerges. A first-rate piece, worth every drop of sweat. – Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung – Performances from Wednesday to Sunday up to and including 22 July. https://www.theatersommer.net/spielzeit/