Tristan (und Isolde)

The knight Tristan accompanies the king’s daughter Isolde to Ireland where she is promised as a bride to Tristan’s uncle. On the way, the two accidentally drink a potion that causes them to fall madly in love with each other. They are caught in flagrante, Tristan is injured and flees back to his homeland, where he waits for Isolde. When she finally arrives, he dies in her arms. Isolde quickly follows him into death.

At least, that is the plot of Richard Wagner’s opera. But the legend of Tristan and Isolde has preoccupied writers since the 13th century – and so numerous versions of the story can be found. Based on medieval poet Gottfried von Strassburg’s verse novel “Tristan”, Nele Jahnke explores the myths and ideas of love in all its varieties. Are we so much in love with heartbreak that, despite longing for happy endings, we recount the tragedy over and over again?

Nele Jahnke’s production of “Anti・gone” in simple language set new standards in German-language theatre. With “Tristan (und Isolde)”, she continues her examination of the German canon and language. In addition to simple and complex language – as well as the language of music – she is incorporating German sign language into her artistic process for the first time and also not neglecting Middle High German. If even the feeling of love is so multifaceted and complex, how can it possibly be adequately communicated?

“For me, language is a playful space in which I can find complete expression. It is both political and poetic.”

– Johanna Kappauf, actor