Bold, Bewitching, and Brilliant: Weiße Witwe

Wiener FestWochen [ENA] Kurdwin Ayub’s audacious directorial debut for the stage, Weiße Witwe, makes a standout entry at the Wiener Festwochen. This wildly inventive reinterpretation of the Scheherazade myth unfolds as a fierce, darkly comic erotic thriller—one that captivates with its unapologetic spirit and visceral theatricality. Set in a futuristic Europe ruled by Queen Aliah performed by the rap star addeN.

Queen Aliah devours her nightly white lovers with chilly detachment, the play pulses with bold imagery and electric energy. Ayub’s narrative combination of grim humor and raw sexuality is both provocative and compelling, whilst never shying away from emotional undercurrents. addeN delivers an arresting performance as the blood-thirsty monarch—her commanding stage presence, drenched in rap cadence and minimalist mise-en-scène, creates a portrait of empowered, lethal femininity. Opposite her, the legendary Georg Friedrich brings quiet gravitas and a surprising emotional core as the sole survivor who counters her reign through story alone.

Visually and sonically, Weiße Witwe dazzles. Nina von Mechow’s striking set and costume design form a futuristic, ritualistic playground, while Denise Potratz’s lighting chases the emotional chiaroscuro of the narrative. The ensemble, spearheaded by the dynamic SC Motion*s dance choir, weaves together movement and atmosphere, spurring the action forward with rhythmic force. Despite being a theatrical first, Ayub’s instincts—as a filmmaker—translate powerfully to the stage. The production is daring yet refined, and its fusion of satire, sensuality, and myth makes for a wholly immersive experience. In under two electrifying hours, Weiße Witwe leaves its audience spellbound.