The Nibelungen Festival presents “The Hun Queen” a spectacular summer theater production in the shadow of the cathedral
Once again, Worms is celebrating its historical heritage with the start of the Nibelungen Festival on July 17. The play “The Hun Queen” will be performed in the shadow of Worms Cathedral through August 2. The play was written by British playwright Oliver Lansley, who is directing his interpretation of the Nibelungen saga alongside his fellow director James Seager. Both are also the founders of the theater company Les Enfants Terribles, which is known for its immersive theater experiences.
With “The Hun Queen,” Lansley and Seager are taking a radical new approach to the familiar material—both in terms of content and staging—thereby filling a gap in the well-known universe of the Nibelungen saga. Specifically, author Oliver Lansley focuses on Kriemhild’s time following the death of the legendary giant Siegfried. That is, the chapter in which Kriemhild’s brothers decide, for the sake of diplomatic strategy following Siegfried’s murder, to hand over their now-unloved sister to King Etzel of the Ostrogoths. This initial situation allows for a shift in perspective—away from the well-known legend and toward a contemporary interpretation of power, manipulation, the abuse of women, and, ultimately, the question of what someone is willing to do to avert even worse events.
Oliver Lansley and James Seager bring this multi-layered play to life on stage with plenty of theatrical tricks, creativity, bombastic music, and impressive actors. Or to put it another way: music, movement, powerful imagery, and a distinctly pop-inspired stage language aim to free the ancient epic from the confines of the museum. They succeed impressively in many moments. The performance unfolds its emotional power especially when Kriemhild’s development becomes visible as an inner rupture. Maria Dragus, who is currently also appearing in the Netflix drama “23,000 Lives,” imbues the character with presence and toughness; she does not portray Kriemhild as a mythical, over-the-top superwoman, but as a person who, in the face of humiliation and loss, works herself up into a fatal determination. Together with Aram Tafreshian, who plays Etzel with a calm yet deliberate presence, she dominates the stage.
However, one must also admit that *The Hun Queen* sometimes tries to do too much. Social criticism, role reversal, spectacle, musical theater, psychological drama, and grand festival-style gestures. These elements don’t always come together to form a cohesive whole, but they do keep the audience entertained throughout the lavish 150-minute runtime plus a 30-minute intermission. The decision to integrate music as an integral part of the stage action is what primarily provides variety in the staging. Well-known pop singer Alice Merton composed nine pieces specifically for the performance in collaboration with British composer Alexander Wolfe. Wolfe is a member of the theater company, as is the accompanying band Silverlung, whose members prove themselves to be accomplished musicians on stage. For the first time, due to the quality of the music, the festival has also released an original stage soundtrack, which, however, can only be purchased on-site at Heylshof Park in Worms.
Tickets for the main grandstand are already completely sold out. There are currently only a few tickets left for all other categories. In addition to the main production, we also recommend the festival’s cultural program and a visit to Heylshof Park. For a modest fee of 4 euros, you can enjoy the evening in the romantic atmosphere of the small park, regardless of which play you’re attending.
You can find more information about the festival here: www.nibelungenfestspiele.de
