Earth Spirit (1895) (Erdgeist) is a captivating play by German playwright Frank Wedekind. It serves as the first part of his renowned Lulu duo, with the second installment being Pandoras Box (1904). Both works lay bare a society torn apart by the relentless forces of lust and greed. Wedekinds narrative not only inspired the silent film Pandoras Box (1929), featuring the iconic Louise Brooks, but also influenced Alban Bergs opera Lulu, which premiered posthumously in 1935. The titular earth spirit, Lulu, is portrayed as a woman created to stir up great disaster, embodying pure sexuality that scandalizes her community and leads men to their ruin. The play invites a spectrum of interpretations, ranging from critiques of misogyny to views of Wedekind as a precursor to women’s liberation. (Summary by Wikipedia and ChuckW)
Cast
Lulu Amanda Friday
Dr. Schon Algy Pug
Alva Schon Chuck Williamson
Dr. Goll/Schigolch Alan Mapstone
Schwartz Aidan Brack
Prince Escerny/Ferdinand bala
Escherich/Narrator/Prologue Elizabeth Klett
Rodrigo Wupperhippo
Hugenberg Charlotte Duckett
Countess Geschwitz Caprisha Page
Henriette Naomi Park
Audio edited by Chuck Williamson and Elizabeth Klett
Pronunciation guide by Karlsson