Dramatist Alexander Zeldin admits to having a longstanding fascination with being an outsider.
Alexander Zeldin, a British-born, Paris-based playwright and director, is set to be honoured as the Artist in Focus at Schaubühne's FIND festival this month. Known for his thought-provoking and deeply personal works, Zeldin is a unique voice in the world of theatre.
Zeldin's heritage and experiences have led him to feel like an outsider, a feeling he believes has helped him create rich and observant art. This outsider perspective is evident in his transition from the socio-realistic The Inequalities trilogy to his latest work, The Confessions.
The trilogy, which focused on systemic, political issues related to social inequality and precarious labor conditions, marked a significant departure with The Confessions. This new play signals a move from political to more personal storytelling, exploring themes that are intimate and deeply personal.
The Confessions is a political play that tells the story of a woman from a working-class family trying to create herself against the structures of her time. The play takes its shape from the life of Zeldin's mother.
Zeldin begins writing a play by seeking freedom and a space where he can be free in his writing. This approach is evident in his work, which aims to create a resonance that comes from the artist asking the question of theatre from a deep place within themselves.
Zeldin's plays are not just about telling a story; they are about provoking thought and encouraging audiences to question their beliefs. According to Zeldin, the experience of going to the theatre is centred around the question of whether one believes in what is being presented.
The theatre, for Zeldin, is a concentration of life, providing an intensity of feeling that is difficult to achieve outside of the theatre. He views it as a mystery and a constant question, requiring artists to ask themselves what the need for theatre is every day.
In addition to The Confessions, Zeldin's play Beyond Caring will be performed at Schaubühne on the 27th and 28th of April. Tickets can be purchased here.
As Zeldin continues to push the boundaries of what theatre can be, he remains committed to his belief that theatre can do things that are not possible in real life, such as helping people see the dead or the natural forces of life. His work is a testament to the power of theatre to provoke thought, challenge perceptions, and inspire change.
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