Dramatist Alexander Zeldin expresses his long-standing fascination with maintaining a position outside the norm.
In the world of theatre, British-born, Paris-based playwright and director, Alexander Zeldin, is making waves with his unique approach to storytelling. Drawing inspiration from the late Japanese theatremaker Yukio Ninagawa, Zeldin's plays aim to create a resonance that comes from his deep introspection and commitment to the art form.
Zeldin, known for his critically-acclaimed socio-realistic The Inequalities trilogy, is staging the final piece, titled Faith, Hope and Charity. However, his latest work, The Confessions, marks a significant shift from his previous politically themed plays focused on social inequalities to more personally driven narratives.
This change can be traced back to the pandemic, when Zeldin felt a need to look within and to change something. During this introspective period, he found inspiration in more recent self-writing in literature, such as the works of Édouard Louis and Rachel Cusk. His newest work, The Confessions, takes its shape from the life of his mother.
Zeldin chooses to maintain a certain distance from his surroundings to create conditions for observation and self-reflection, and travelling plays a role in this. He sees theatre as a mystery, a constant question that needs to be asked every day, and he strives to create plays that evoke astonishment, empathy, and a sense of the living.
In the theatre, according to Zeldin, the tightrope walk of life is evident, and thinking too much or self-consciousness can lead to falling off. He views theatre as a concentration of life, providing an intensity of feeling that is difficult to find outside of the theatre. When writing a play, Zeldin is looking for a space that allows him to feel free.
Zeldin's capacity to see extends beyond mere looking, encompassing an understanding of the collective life. He believes that theatre can perform tasks that are not possible in real life, such as helping people see the dead or understand natural forces. He never saw The Inequalities as political theatre; he saw them as plays that spoke about heroes and heroines of our time experiencing the conditions under which we all live.
If you're in Berlin from the 18th to the 28th of April, don't miss the opportunity to witness Zeldin's latest work, The Confessions, at the Schaubühne. Performances on the 27th and 28th are available for ticket purchase.
Zeldin wanted to put himself at risk and try something else to grow as a writer. His background, being of Russian and Australian descent and attending a French school, has given him a sense of being an outsider, which he finds beneficial for his art. He also found inspiration in various texts, including Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt, Matthew López's The Inheritance, novels by Annie Ernaux, and the classics Jane Eyre and Middlemarch.
In a world where theatre can help us see the dead and understand natural forces, Alexander Zeldin's work is a testament to the power of storytelling and the human spirit.
