Der Menschenfeind (The Misanthrope)

Statement of the Jury

This production of the classic “The Misanthrope” at Deutsches Theater Berlin takes its material seriously and generates historical references. At the same time, it sets it staunchly in our present times, partly due to the German translation by Gosch and Wiens with its wild, unrestrained verses. Over large parts of the show, Anne Lenk shifts the focus from Alceste towards Célimène: It is a great pleasure to watch how Franziska Machens’ both casual and hypnotic acting takes over the lead. Ulrich Matthes lends human depth to his Alceste – the tragic circumstance that neither of them is willing or able to act against their nature gives the evening an undercoat of deepest black. Although there is plenty of drastic comedy, none of the characters are buffoons, but rather people constrained by the corsets that hide their inner turmoil. Behind the comedy, Lenk finds individuals in all their disjointedness, in all their truth. Thanks in part to the exquisite set and costumes, this production can be read as a parable both of Versailles under Louis XIV and of our present days.