A woman and man stand face to face

Penthesilea

Penthesilea

UK PREMIERE

Internationaal Theater Amsterdam presents a visceral, sexy and grungy reinterpretation of an ancient love story with the medium of music.

Ferocious and emotionally charged, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam’s production of Heinrich von Kleist’s Penthesilea is a powerful fusion of a rock concert and an ancient tragic love story.

Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons, belongs to an all-female society of warriors, who can only have sex with men they have defeated on the battlefield. Locking eyes with the Greek army commander Achilles during battle in the Trojan War, Penthesilea falls in love at first sight and vows to defeat him. The star-crossed lovers wrestle between the demands of their war-faring societies and the wishes of their hearts.

Director Eline Arbo is renowned for breaking down boundaries. Her latest play defies gender convention, traditional staging and cultural norms, creating something frantic, thrilling and sensual.

After her critically acclaimed debut at the 2022 International Festival with The End of Eddy, Eline Arbo returns with ITA for this shocking, erotic retelling of von Kleist’s classic 1808 production, likened to Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

Post-show talk: 4 Aug

The Warm Up: Pentheselia

Director Eline Arbo and Composer Thijs van Vuure share their collaborative process and how they have infused this tragic love story with the energy of a rock concert.

The Warm Up: Pentheselia

0 Stars

Eline Arbo turns a tragedy from 1808 into a sexy and toxic gem

Het Parool

0 Stars

The protagonists are not war heroes, but rock stars: Achilles and Penthesilea drag microphone stands across the stage, their silhouettes standing out against white smoke.

NRC

Supported by Performing Arts Fund NL

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    Programme

    A keepsake freesheet is available at the venue for this performance.


    Internationaal Theater Amsterdam
    Eline Arbo After
    Heinrich von Kleist

    Eline Arbo Director & Adaptation
    Thijs van Vuure     Composer & Musical Director
    Heinrich von Kleist     Writer
    Gerrit Komrij Translator
    Bart Van den Eynde     Dramaturg & Adaptation
    Pascal Leboucq Set Designer
    Alva Brosten Costume Designer
    Varja Klosse     Lighting Designer
    Dennis Slot     Sound Designer
    Daniël 't Hoen, Zorba Huisman Assistant Director

    Cast Daphne Agten, Marieke Heebink, Maarten Heijmans, Maria Kraakman, Jesse Mensah, Ilke Paddenburg, Eefje Paddenburg, Felix Schellekens, Steven Van Watermeulen

    Jeroen van Ingen and Jaap Kooijman, Bertil van Kaam Private producer
    Inge Zeilinga, Michiel van Schijndel Production-leader
    Stijn van der Leeuw Stage manager
    Toon de Vries, Thijs Veerman, Kevin Cuyvers, Zinzi Kemper, Rinse de Jong, Paul Meijer, Nelis Meijer, Wouter Pieters, Pepijn van Beek Technical staff

    Mirjam Venema Hair and make-up
    Carlijn Veurink Dresser

    Erik Borgman Surtitles

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