In collaboration with Göteborgs Stadsteater we present The Forbidden Zone, directed by Katie Mitchell. The piece takes place in the 1900’s and portrays the tragic and real life story of the Haber family. Exactly one hundred years ago, German chemist and Nobel Price winner Fritz Haber was made famous as the inventor of chlorine gas and mustard gas, used both during World War 1 and World War 2. After some time of marital discussions, his wife – chemist Clara Immerwahr – committed suicide as a protest against the deadly weapon her husband had created.
The Forbidden Zone is a magical multi-media performance. Five video cameras are positioned on four locations, one being on a subway train in motion to create a vivid and dynamic cinematic experience. Simultaneous with what’s happening on stage, the cameras follow the actors in a film that’s being projected directly onto the movie screen. In this performance, theatre is given a new dimension, crossing the boundaries between several genres.

In addition to being a multi-media show of epic proportions, the performance also offers a female perspective on war, referencing amongst others Virginia Woolf, Emma Goldman, Hanna Arendt and Simone de Beauvoir.

Katie Mitchell is one of Europe’s most inventive directors, celebrated and renowned in her homeland Great Britain. She has been acknowledged for her innovative enactments and absorbing theatrical worlds. Mitchell works strategically with extensive, profound research and with long rehearsal periods in preparation for new performances. Nothing is left to chance. In 2009 she was awarded the British Imperial Order for her work in theatre.

During 2016 The Forbidden Zone is presented at the Barbican Centre in London. This spring, her latest work Ophelias Zimmer – where Mitchell has created a feminist version of Hamlet – was premiered at the Royal Court Theatre.

In The Forbidden Zone her aim is to shed a light on the pointlessness of war. The piece is a forceful political performance, illustrating our modern times in a historical perspective.

The Forbidden Zone is performed in English and German with English subtitles.

Written by: Duncan Macmillan with texts from Hannah Arendt, Simone de Beauvoir, Mary Borden, Emma Goldman and Virginia Woolf
Director: Katie Mitchell
Video: 59 Production
Set design: Lizzie Clachan
Costume: Sussie Juhlin-Wallén
Video design: Finn Ross
Sound: Gareth Fry and Melanie Wilson
Translation: Vera Neuroth
Dramaturgy: Nils Haarmann and David Tushingham
Lighting: Jack Knowles
Production Manager: John Higgins
Assistant Directors: Philipp Arnold, Lily McLeish, Sonja Szillinksky
Production photographer: Stephen Cummiskey

CAST

Clara Haber: Ruth Marie Kröger
Fritz Haber: Felix Römer
Claire Haber: Jenny König           
Scientist: Andreas Schröders
Nurse, scientist: Kate Duchêne
Soldier: Giorgio Spiegelfeld
American soldier: Sebastian Pircher