By Sara Bright
Orlando is one of the most daring and dazzling novels ever written. Published in 1928, it tells the story of a young nobleman who lives for centuries, changing sex and identity along the way. It is a playful and provocative exploration of gender, sexuality, and history, inspired by Virginia Woolf’s affair with Vita Sackville-West. It is also a masterpiece of literary style, blending fantasy, biography, and satire.
Now, Orlando has been brought to life on stage by one of the most innovative and influential theatre directors of our time: Katie Mitchell. Her production, adapted by Alice Birch, premiered at Berlin’s Schaubühne in September 2019, and has since toured to Paris, Amsterdam, and London. It is a stunning and spectacular show that combines live performance, film, and music to create a rich and immersive theatrical experience.
How Mitchell and Birch Reimagined Orlando for the Stage
Adapting Orlando for the stage is no easy feat. The novel spans four centuries, multiple countries, and countless characters. It also challenges the conventions of narrative, genre, and form. How can a theatre show capture the essence and spirit of Woolf’s visionary work?
Mitchell and Birch decided to focus on the core themes of the novel: the fluidity of gender and the freedom of desire. They also wanted to reflect Woolf’s experimental and playful approach to writing. They used a variety of techniques and devices to create a dynamic and diverse stage language, such as:
- Multimedia: Mitchell is known for her use of live video and film in her theatre shows, which she uses to create multiple perspectives and layers of meaning. In Orlando, she uses a large screen to project close-ups of the actors, as well as pre-recorded scenes of different locations and eras. The screen also shows the dates and places of each scene, as well as quotes from the novel. The audience can see both the live action on stage and the filmed images on screen, creating a contrast and a dialogue between the two media.
- Music: The show features an original score by Paul Clark, which mixes classical, electronic, and pop elements. The music reflects the mood and tone of each scene, as well as the changing times and cultures. The music also helps to create transitions and connections between the scenes, as well as to highlight the emotions and thoughts of the characters.
- Humour: The show embraces the humour and irony of Woolf’s novel, which mocks the stereotypes and expectations of gender and society. The show also makes fun of its own theatricality and artifice, breaking the fourth wall and acknowledging the audience. The show is full of witty and hilarious moments, such as Orlando’s transformation scene, his/her encounters with various lovers, and his/her attempts to write poetry.
- Minimalism: The show uses a minimalist set, designed by Alex Eales, which consists of a large wooden platform, a few props, and some costumes. The set allows for quick and smooth changes of scenes and settings, as well as for the actors to move freely and creatively. The set also contrasts with the lavish and detailed images on the screen, creating a tension and a balance between the two.
How Jenny König Shines as Orlando
The show features a cast of six actors, who play multiple roles and switch genders and identities throughout the show. However, the star of the show is undoubtedly Jenny König, who plays the title role of Orlando. König is a remarkable and versatile performer, who captures the essence and spirit of Woolf’s character. She portrays Orlando’s journey from a young and naive boy to a mature and confident woman, as well as his/her struggles and joys along the way. She also conveys Orlando’s curiosity and passion for life, as well as his/her sense of humour and irony. König is equally convincing and compelling as both a man and a woman, and as both a lover and a writer. She also has a great chemistry with the other actors, especially with Leonie Jenning, who plays Sasha, Orlando’s first love. König’s performance is a tour de force that deserves praise and admiration.
Why Orlando is a Must-See Show
Orlando is a show that celebrates the power and beauty of theatre, as well as the power and beauty of Woolf’s novel. It is a show that challenges and delights the audience, as well as the actors and the crew. It is a show that transcends the boundaries of time, space, and gender, and invites us to explore our own identities and desires. It is a show that honours Woolf’s legacy, as well as Mitchell’s vision. It is a show that you don’t want to miss.