Stage

Murmel Murmel

Don't expect intellectual theatre as Murmel Murmel, Dieter Roth's book adapted for stage, returns. But if you're intrigued by slapstick performances and colourful staging, you might just be able to get over the actors constant repetition of Murmel.

Before you consider going, you should know the concept.

Thirty-eight years ago a Fluxus guy called Dieter Roth wrote an obscure book: 180 pages filled with one word – “Murmel”. Director Herbert Fritsch apparently promised the man he would stage it posthumously. So here it is, 14 years after Roth’s death: 11 Volksbühne actors say, chant, shout, whisper, mumble, vocalise, warble the word “Murmel” – German for “marble”. They make faces, do tricks, fall a lot – down, on each other, off the stage.

Don’t expect a trans-dimensional, experience… It’s all practical jokes, slapstick tricks and pranksterish humour. A loud portion of the audience seemed to love it. We left baffled, not least by the quasi-unanimous kudos from the German press. Humour clash?