Arnon Grunberg

Client

Seedy

‘The story ends abysmally. Lulu, now degraded, is working as a prostitute. She has fled to London to avoid being imprisoned at home for murdering Dr. Schön. Living in a garret with her are Schigolch and Alwa, both now dysfunctional. They act as a pair of seedy pimps for Lulu, who brings home the wrong client: Jack the Ripper (Mr. Reuter).
I know that the very term “12-tone technique” makes some music lovers recoil. I wish they could hear this ingeniously structured, grimly beautiful work, especially in this stunning and searing production.’

These are the last paragraphs of Anthony Tommasini’s review in the Times.'

Read the article here.

Yes, this production deserves lots of praise.

But I’m not sure if the story ends ready abysmally though. Lulu is incapable of loving others, she herself is nothing but desire and a mirror for the desire of others, and desire can turn easily into despair. If the despair is big enough you are ready to kill and to get killed. She lived a life without pity because that’s how she wanted to live. Her death is more redemption than punishment.

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