Of Tyrants, White Women, Blood Countesses and Legendary Tales
A quest in the treasure trove of legends in Burgenland
An event as part of the POSITIONEN · Theater of the Present
In cooperation with the Theater Initiative Burgenland – State Theater of the Authors and the Open House Oberwart
The Burgenland is rich in stories – and in female figures that stand out. No fewer than 20 artists dedicate themselves to a topic that fascinates to this day: legendary women between myth and reality.
Whether the alleged tyrant Rosalia of Forchtenstein, the combative Gertraud of Weisspriach at Castle Landsee, the mysterious White Lady of Bernstein, the notorious "Blood Countess" of Lockenhaus, the controversial Countess Batthyány-Thyssen of Rechnitz, or the tortured women persecuted as witches in Eberau – all these figures raise questions. What does popular lore say about them? And what is the truth behind their legends?
At the center of the piece is the examination of women who broke with the societal norms of their time, resisted attributions, or became a projection surface through their contradictions.
From North to South
The route leads from north to south to six castles and palaces in Burgenland. Places where history continues to resonate: in fairy tales and legends, in historical writings, personal memories, or scholarly analyses. But as The Road of Women shows: Not every tale has unfolded as it is commonly portrayed.
Seven authors, six visual artists, and one musician join the performers on stage in the task of looking deeper into the fates of women who remain in the memory of the country due to a real or perceived taboo break, and who continue to occupy the imaginations of people to this day.
Authors: Sanja Abramovic, Theodora Bauer, Katrin Bernhardt, Petra Piuk, Sophie Reyer, Johanna Sebauer, Katharina Tiwald
Directors: Valentina Himmelbauer and Peter Wagner
Performers: Myriam Angela, Petra Staduan, Petra Strasser
Composition and Live Music: Mira Perusich
Visual Artists / Set Design: Renate Holpfer, Judith Horvatits, Elke Mischling, Ilse Lichtenberger, Petra Neulinger, Doris Schamp
Concept: Peter Wagner
A quest in the treasure trove of legends in Burgenland
An event as part of the POSITIONEN · Theater of the Present
In cooperation with the Theater Initiative Burgenland – State Theater of the Authors and the Open House Oberwart
The Burgenland is rich in stories – and in female figures that stand out. No fewer than 20 artists dedicate themselves to a topic that fascinates to this day: legendary women between myth and reality.
Whether the alleged tyrant Rosalia of Forchtenstein, the combative Gertraud of Weisspriach at Castle Landsee, the mysterious White Lady of Bernstein, the notorious "Blood Countess" of Lockenhaus, the controversial Countess Batthyány-Thyssen of Rechnitz, or the tortured women persecuted as witches in Eberau – all these figures raise questions. What does popular lore say about them? And what is the truth behind their legends?
At the center of the piece is the examination of women who broke with the societal norms of their time, resisted attributions, or became a projection surface through their contradictions.
From North to South
The route leads from north to south to six castles and palaces in Burgenland. Places where history continues to resonate: in fairy tales and legends, in historical writings, personal memories, or scholarly analyses. But as The Road of Women shows: Not every tale has unfolded as it is commonly portrayed.
Seven authors, six visual artists, and one musician join the performers on stage in the task of looking deeper into the fates of women who remain in the memory of the country due to a real or perceived taboo break, and who continue to occupy the imaginations of people to this day.
Authors: Sanja Abramovic, Theodora Bauer, Katrin Bernhardt, Petra Piuk, Sophie Reyer, Johanna Sebauer, Katharina Tiwald
Directors: Valentina Himmelbauer and Peter Wagner
Performers: Myriam Angela, Petra Staduan, Petra Strasser
Composition and Live Music: Mira Perusich
Visual Artists / Set Design: Renate Holpfer, Judith Horvatits, Elke Mischling, Ilse Lichtenberger, Petra Neulinger, Doris Schamp
Concept: Peter Wagner