Handel's opera's about the end of Alcina's seductive powers: we meet people in a place where they are at the mercy of her power. How does seduction work in a system like this? Why are ‘victims’ vulnerable? How does the seducer muddy the boundaries between real and manipulated feelings? Is seduction an art? When does the power of ‘magic’ end? Michel Friedman discusses these questions with OLIVER REESE, who, after eight years as artistic director at Schauspiel Frankfurt (2009-17), took up the same post at the Berlin Ensemble in 2017/2018, where contemporary plays take centre stage alongside works by Bertolt Brecht. He's also an author and director.
