Josef Fritzl musical opens amid tight security in Vienna
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/23/josef-fritzl-comedy-play-vienna
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Hubsi Kramar, the production's director and star, has been forced to change its title from Pension Fritzl – a Cellar Soap to Pension F because of the outcry. Tickets for tonight's opening have sold out.
The play centres on the story of the 74-year-old Fritzl, who goes on trial next month for imprisoning and sexually abusing his daughter Elisabeth, by whom he fathered seven children, over a period of 24 years.
Kramar, 60, has received death threats during weeks of protests in the run-up to the premiere. The 3raum-anatomietheater, which is staging the play, has been vandalised, with promotional posters ripped from walls and the stage door sealed with superglue.
"The media hunt is beginning to have an effect," Kramar said. "It will be dangerous for all involved."
The director said critics had been too quick to judge the production and that, far from being a "comedy about incest", it was a "satire about the media", its coverage of Fritzl and its attitude to violence in the family in general.
He told the Oe24 newspaper he wanted his play to provoke reaction. "Public reactions are important, and the politicians should react to it," he said.
Kramar said he had not had direct contact with Elisabeth Fritzl and her children, who are recuperating in an undisclosed location, but he had explained the concept of his play to a legal representative for the family.
He said the play was a work in progress and would develop as the media covers the Fritzl trial, which will see thousands of journalists descend on the town of St Pölten for its opening on 16 March. Fritzl faces charges of murder, rape, slavery, incest, imprisonment and abuse."
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- Art and Style, Culture
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- tags:
- Culture, Art and Style, Media, Protest, 6 more
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freerosiewebster
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Hubsi Kramar - you were beaten to it! The harrowing account of Coronation Street's Rosie Webster, locked in John Stape's attic for weeks has already been adapted into a musical. And poor Rosie Webster kept a blog throughout, freerosiewebster.blogspot.com.
Josef Fritzl, John Stape... I hear one major broadcaster are making Karen Matthews on ice!
- 4 years ago
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freerosiewebster
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nazbags
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My initial reaction to this was definately negative, but after reading that the emphasis is on the media, I'm sort of changing my mind. In any case it still may be too soon.
- 4 years ago
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nazbags
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richjm
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Sounds like a great night out for all the family!
- 4 years ago
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richjm
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emmahill
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I truly never thought this musical would see the light of day.
- 4 years ago
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emmahill
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blanch
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mmm, I can't judge the play itself because I haven't seen it - maybe it has a good message - but it's a bit insensitive and exploitative to do this so quickly.
- 4 years ago
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blanch
