Text: Erich Nyffenegger
The text was published in edition 4 (07/25).
Reading time 3 Min.
The Trailblazers in the „Wimmelbild“ (Teeming Picture)
The stunt performers on the Seebühne are more than just the icing on the cake in Der Freischütz. They climb, dance, dive, and create cinematic moments with acrobatic feats. But despite all the action, one thing matters most to them: safety.
Rarely has the stage design on the Seebühne been darker, rarely has there been more movement, driven by the elements of fire, water, and air. And rarely have there been more breathtaking moments, made possible by bold directorial choices and people who push themselves to the limit. Right from the start of Der Freischütz, the audience holds its breath as Cameron Woolnough, doubling for the protagonist Max, is “hanged” from a tree by the village community and dangles lifelessly over the water for several minutes.
Well-Planned from the Start
But who are these people who, unnoticed by the audience, step into the roles of the soloists when things get risky? And can you actually learn what they do somewhere, or does it simply take a hefty dose of daring mixed with a touch of madness? Anyone lucky enough to attend one of the stunt rehearsals on the Seebühne will not get the impression that reckless daredevils are at work here. Rather, the scene resembles a safety training session. Every move is meticulously planned and choreographed by the head of the stunt team, Wendy Hesketh-Ogilvie. All equipment elements – such as eyelets, hooks, or ropes – are not just checked twice, but multiple times.
Even the artists themselves, well-prepared and secured, take on spectacular scenes.
“Stage safety is our top priority,” says Jamie Ogilvie, who is responsible for the technical aspects of the stunts. The formula is simple: those who do risky things on stage must be all the more careful and precise. To make this work, the stunt team is involved in the development of the production from a very early stage. After all, their work also affects how the stage is built. It must be determined where and how it is even possible to jump, climb, or dive safely.
The Art of the Thrill
In his production of Der Freischütz, director and set designer Philipp Stölzl relies on powerful images, surprising effects, and plenty of action. Wendy Hesketh-Ogilvie says, “This production pushes the boundaries of what is possible.” She and her husband Jamie run the Wired Aerial Theatre in Liverpool. This company embodies the art of aerial performance in its most authentic form.: using techniques such as bungee cords, performers seem to defy gravity. The professional stunt performers are not newcomers to Bregenz – they’ve become a permanent part of the Seebühne spectacle. Most recently, they were featured in Madame Butterfly and Rigoletto. This year, Wired Aerial contributes to the thrill factor with a team of 28 performers, including 21 stunt artists.
The Art of Goosebump Moments
One stunt scene that is sure to stick in the audience’s mind is the eerie Wolf’s Glen sequence, in which Max is haunted by the mirage of Agathe: here, stuntwoman Viva Foster takes on the role of Agathe, flinging herself wildly back and forth as if in trance. But that’s just one of several roles Viva Foster performs in her fourth Seebühnen production – not just in the air but also in the water. At another point, she suddenly emerges from the water with other performers, intricately masked, performing a surreal water ballet to illustrate Ännchen’s dream of a better life.
Especially the many scenes in and around the water call for experienced professionals. For the Bregenzer Festspiele, Wired Aerial Theatre selects stunt performers, acrobats, and dancers. During the rehearsal phase, it is carefully evaluated which stage actions the singers can perform themselves and when doubles are needed – to keep the „Wimmelbild“ (Teeming Picture) on the Seebühne in constant motion.
