15 July 2021

Salzburg Festival's 'Jedermann' costumes for the new production are developed from two perspectives: Gender fluidity and from the Renaissance idea of reviving the past for new views on the present

The 'Jedermann' provides each year another surprise just in time with the prelude of the Salzburger Festspiele. This year, the Renaissance idea of reviving the old for new views on the present and future as well as gender fluidity were the central topics at the presentation of the costumes for the ensemble of the 'Jedermann. Das Spiel vom Sterben eines reichen Mannes.' (The Play about the Death of the Rich Man).

The theatre play by Hugo von Hofmannsthal will be performed in a new staging and with a new cast for a changed perspective on the main roles under the direction of Michael Sturminger from 17 July – 26 August 2021 at the Domplatz in Salzburg. Jedermann costumes, especially the gown for the role 'Buhlschaft' (the Paramour), are traditionally every year the most discussed theatre costumes in the country's media.

Image: The picture from the rehearsal shows the actors Lars Eidinger (Jedermann) and Verena Altenberger (Buhlschaft). Verena Altenberger appears as paramour in a red pantsuit with a wide cape and short hair like an emancipated power girl who lives 'gender fluidity' in her relation to Jedermann. Photo: © SF / Matthias Horn.

Costume designer Renate Martin made 'gender fluidity' this year's keyword of Jedermann. The designer incorporated into her creations female and male attributes for making the human's natural gender flexibility visible. Renaissance is the anchor in the timeline of the production which oscillates between centuries with one idea in mind: Reviving the past for new views. At the introduction into Jedermann 2021, director Michael Sturminger draws the timeline of 'Jedermann' from the medieval morality play up to nowadays: "The drama was conceived as a renewal of the medieval morality play, modelled on the English Everyman and further enriched by Hans Sachs's Hecastus and other sources. .... We transport men and women into the present and attempt to move them with a story that is timelessly relevant...".

The premiere of the new 'Jedermann' will happen on 17 July.

Images, insights into the 'Jedermann' costume workshop: Salzburger Festspiele Costume Director Jan Meier, 'Jedermann' Costume Designer Renate Martin, and the Salzburger Festspiele Director Drama Bettina Hering presented the costumes of this year's Jedermann production. View at a board with costume sketches and one of the stage costumes. Photos: © SF / Anne Zeuner.