Half Man II Half Bull I Ruhrfestspiele 2025

Half Man || Half Bull by Phil Grainger, Oliver Tilney, Alexander Wright

German premiere

Greek mythology meets "Hamilton" - this is probably the best way to describe this very special evening. In an unprecedented combination of poetry and live music, the myths surrounding Theseus and Daedalus are reinterpreted for us today in a gripping, highly musical performance.

Theseus, one of the great heroes of Greek mythology, is known for his adventurous journey to Crete, where he defeated the Minotaur - a creature half man, half bull ("Half Man || Half Bull"). The Minotaur lives in a labyrinth created by Daedalus, the ingenious inventor. Theseus volunteers to free Ariadne from the monster's captivity. But it soon becomes clear that Ariadne may not be the victim she is portrayed as, the Minotaur may not be the monster everyone sees him as - and Theseus himself may not be a shining hero. Meanwhile, Daedalus struggles with the loss of his son Icarus, whose tragic death has affected him deeply. The once admired inventor is now a man marked by grief and self-doubt.

In "Half Man || Half Bull", drama, musical theater, rap, spoken word and poetry merge into an immersive, rousing performance that allows the audience to dive directly into the stories. Experience the great myths of antiquity from a completely new perspective!

The British duo Wright & Grainger, together with musician and performer Oliver Tilney and other guests, breathe new life into Greek mythology. Innovatively told and staged in a modern way, they bring a breath of fresh air to the ancient myths. They are now celebrating their German premiere at the Ruhrfestspiele.

"Wild concert theater by Wright and Grainger that is both invigorating and heartbreaking." The Stage

Talk with the artists: May 17, after the performance

Age indication: 12+

Language information: in English with German surtitles