Hydra, the Lernean Snake - c.berger & j.warnemünde

Hydra [myth.]
A monster, both obstacle and prompt to Heracles' fame, of varying
morphology and tremendous corporal potency, finally defeated, yet not overcome.

Hydra [bio.]
A polyp with the unique ability to replace nerve cells. This means she must only fear a Katastrophentod, death by catastrophe. Theoretically, she can live indefinitely.


A single performer will become the creature, will lead an absent chorus, will become Hydra and Heracles alike. In creating a landscape of pictures, of linguistic and scenographic images, the performer will evoke the intangible monster, exploring the outer limits of re-presentation and following the dramaturgical logic of a self-reproducing organism.

A single performer will stand up to the futile challenge of a fight of which the outcome is already determined. The Hydra will die by the hand of the hero. Hydra, the Lernean Snake sets out for a polyphonic, multimedia, multilingual exploration of traces, images and meaning of the mythological creature. In searching for an intimate encounter with the beast, free of pre-judgment and the will to appropriate, we will allow Her to step from the periphery into the center.

Julia Warnemünde and Cara Berger, both originally from Hamburg, work internationally as theatre makers and researchers.