AEF2023: Das Weinen (Das Wähnen) [Whining (Waning)]

It’s that time of the year again, when Athenians start planning their summer holidays around the programme of the Athens Epidaurus Festival. The leading performing arts festival in Greece, and one of the oldest in Europe, returns between June 1st and August 26th for its 68th edition with a rich programme of events. As always, the main venues are the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the industrial complex of Pireos 260 and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. Click here for our festival picks or head over to the official website for the full programme.

The unconventional setting of Das Weinen (Das Wähnen) is an eerie pharmacy with flickering screens on the walls indicating different ailments. Five female pharmacists in their identical white robes stir their tea in unison, obsessively wipe their glasses, and follow a water cooler that seems to move around on its own accord. This neo-Dada, absurdist play by provocative Swiss director Christoph Marthaler is based on Dieter Roth’s texts. The latter was an influential and equally provocative artist, famous for his artworks made of found materials, mainly trash. Those of you who are ready, or willing, to confront the absurdity of life, take a step forward.