Just Call Me God / BTF 2017

Performed by: John Malkovich, Sophi von Kessel – prose

Featuring: Martin Haselböck – organ, Franz Danksagmüller – electronica

Writer, director: Michael Sturminger

Since time immemorial, there have always been rulers or leaders to whom people attribute supernatural power, omnipotence, or even divine capacities. How is that possible? Why are we like that? Could it be we are so gullible and corrupt? John Malkovich takes the initiative and explains everything.

Following the Giacomo Variations, and Infernal Comedy – Confessions of a Serial Killer, which was also performed in Budapest, John Malkovich and Michael Sturminger have made another production of theatre and music, which will have its world premiere at the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg’s futuristic concert hall. Following the premiere, Malkovich will put himself in the shoes of the tyrants of all times in London and at the Budapest Spring Festival, to make us confront the technology of despotism.

The musical counterpoint will be provided by organist and conductor Martin Haselböck, who also played an active part in the earlier productions. His selection represents a special cross section of musical history, from Bach, through Messiaen, to György Ligeti.

Performance in English with Hungarian surtitles.