The Kreutzer Sonata by Beethoven inspired a promptly censored story by Tolstoy which then gave rise to Leo Janácek's first string quartet; The Kreutzer, part of the 2007 STAB Season, unites all three, breaking the down the barriers between performance genres.

Directed by Sara Brodie, the show combines dance-theatre, live classical music and an interactive audio-visual feast.The Kreutzer Sonata by Beethoven inspired a promptly censored story by Tolstoy which then gave rise to Leo Janácek's first string quartet; The Kreutzer, part of the 2007 STAB Season, unites all three, breaking the down the barriers between performance genres.

Directed by Sara Brodie, the show combines dance-theatre, live classical music and an interactive audio-visual feast.In the show, a man on a train is hounded by a quartet and the haunting presence of his dead wife, and is driven to confessing all. The audience is taken on a journey into his corrupt and jealous past, to examine the twisted way men and women perceive each other.

Adapted by Sara Brodie in collaboration with AV designer Andrew Brettell and actor Tom McCrory from an original idea by NZSO viola player Peter Barber, The Kreutzer forms part of the 2007 STAB season commissioned by Bats Theatre and CNZ. It was selected for the commission "due to the cutting edge innovation of this interdisciplinary production - particularly the degree of integration between classical musicians and other live performers onstage. The creative team behind this project are of an outstanding calibre" (James Hadley, Bats Theatre).

The Kreutzer features the talents of pianist Catherine McKay(CAN/NZ), dancer Nina Baeyertz (GER/NZ), violinist Donald Armstrong (NZ), actor Tom McCrory (UK/NZ), and the Nevine String Quartet (NZ).

When: 14-24 November 2007
Where: BATS Theatre, Kent Terrace, Wellington
Bookings: 04 802 4175 or book@bats.co.nz

Image © Matt Grace

2/10/07