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Angélica Liddell: LIEBESTOD (photo: Christophe Raynaud de Lage)Angélica Liddell: LIEBESTOD (photo: Christophe Raynaud de Lage)
Drama

Liebestod

Angélica Liddell, Atra Bilis Teatro

THE SMELL OF BLOOD DOES NOT LEAVE MY EYES
JUAN BELMONTE
Histoire(s) du théâtre III

The New Stage
Prague Crossroads Festival
English surtitles
Czech surtitles in Drama

Basic information

Venue

The New Stage

Language

In Spanish, surtitles in Czech, English

"Angélica Liddell doesn't do the theatre, Angélica Liddell is the theatre."

Cast

  • 2023-2024
  • 2024-2025

About

One of the most prominent personalities of the contemporary European theatre, Angélica Liddell, is coming to Prague with her latest production, which was premiered last year in Festival d'Avignon. In her productions, the eccentric performer, director and author always deals with autobiographical themes for which she seeks a metaphorical framework. This time, she combines the story of the "divine bullfighter" Juan Belmonte and the music of Richard Wagner to create her own theatrical language.

Her work is always strongly visual and figurative, physical and at the same time based on the intensity of the spoken word. She is always on stage, with her infinitely strong energy. Angélica is looking for and finding theatricality all around us. "It's the history of theater and at the same time the history of my roots," says Angélica about Liebestod. Liebestod is based on the final aria of Richard Wagner's opera Tristan and Isolde (1865), which literally means "killed by love."

The very word Liebestod refers to the theme of the eroticism of death or of "love till death", with the idea that the consummation of the couple’s love takes place in death, or even after it. Death was also the obsession of the bullfighter Belmonte, who saw bullfighting more as a spiritual exercise that carries emotions through infinite space to eternity. The relentless search for tragic beauty, an effort to meet the spirituality directly, is present both in the Belmontes's practice and in the stage work of Angélica Liddell. "I’m always looking for the sublime moment, for transfiguration, for overflowing enthusiasm, for radiance and light, this lyrical transport which takes place when one loves", says the director.

Liebestod is a sacrificial ritual that is more than just the history of bullfighting, "it is the work of a mortal woman in love, but it is also an act of sacrifice."

Official photos: Christophe Raynaud de Lage

WARNING: Some scenes may offend the sensibilities of the spectators. The show contains explicit depictions of auto aggressive violence.

Photo and video gallery

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    Practical information

    Where to buy tickets

    The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance. We are currently selling tickets for performances of Drama, Ballet, Opera and Laterna magika taking place in March-August 2024.


    When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.

    What to wear?

    By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.

    Parking at the National Theater

    While visiting The National Theatre and the New Stage you can use again the underground car park of the National Theatre. Information and a parking fee.

     

    Buffets on the New Stage

    Use Café Nona for refreshments on the New Stage.