"The last days of mankind"

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maxxx
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"The last days of mankind"

#1

Post by maxxx » 23 Jul 2005, 17:09

I am actually directing
DIE LETZTEN TAGE DER MENSCHHEIT
(THe last days of mankind)
by Karl Kraus , Austrias greatest piece of Anti War literature.

The location is a WW2 airraid shelter system in Mödling near Vienna
and it involves 60+ actors.

Wish me luck... It is a monster of a play , involving hundreds of historic and fictional characters from WW1, both civil and military.
Even if foto-like accuracy is not the main task neither of such a visionary play nor a modern interpretation I am trying to be as accurate as neccessary.
So be warned, I might unnerve you during the next days with some questions.

Anyone in Vienna from 13 th to 28 th of August and interested, give me a call!


maxxx

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#2

Post by Karl » 24 Jul 2005, 02:37

Well Viel Glück.

I wonder (if and when you find the time) if you could post a short synopsis? :D


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maxxx
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#3

Post by maxxx » 24 Jul 2005, 15:54

It is impossible to give a short synopsis.

Kraus brought together during the wartime more than 200 scenes with more than 750 persons involved to show how this war was started by inflamers, ignorants , speculators and rightout stupid politicans. He shows in a range of scenes ranging from frontline, headquarters, streetscenes,nightclubs, schools, churches, political meetings, to allegorical, nightmarish visions how mankind "had the bullet going in by one ear and out by the other", without learning. His personal wrath goes against the press, the media of his age, which stirred the hate with a lot of incredible nonsense posts, where he shows how commercial profit and sensational tabloids work hand in hand. He also shows corruption, human suffering and humilation against the claim that "war will lift the spirit of the people".
"The most weired fictions are nothing but documents.

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maxxx
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#4

Post by maxxx » 24 Jul 2005, 16:37

I add a foto of our poster:
Attachments
plakat33.JPG
plakat33.JPG (43.93 KiB) Viewed 784 times

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