Schloss Wartholz
HOMER
THE
Odyssey
02.08.25
19:00
Reichenau an der RAX
SChloss Wartholz
sold
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Our Team
“A journey of twenty years and a joyful but complicated reunion: our Odyssey vividly retells the elemental story of a lost warrior desperate to get home to his family, against all odds, perils and even the Gods themselves. It also represents a work two decades in the making, as an ensemble of performers return to Austria for the first time to recreate this thrilling, dangerous and epic journey from Troy to Ithaca.
Set in the beautiful grounds of Wartholz Castle, this unique performance will share Odysseus’s extraordinary quest through fire, song and poetry. Bring something warm, something to sit on, and ‘let us on your imaginary forces work’ as we sail across the Mediterranean.”
Joe Kloska has created a special stage adaptation of selected scenes from Homer’s Odyssey especially for this production. His staging embraces the ethos of Poor Theatre – a style that forgoes elaborate sets, costumes, and technical effects in favour of raw performance, physical presence, and intimate connection between actors and audience.
ABOUT
Epic theatre: Scenes from Homer’s Odyssey
On 2 August 2025, the grounds of Schloss Wartholz will be transformed into a stage for an extraordinary open-air theatre event: a distinguished company of British actors, under the direction of Joseph Kloska, will bring to life scenes from Homer’s Odyssey beneath the evening sky.
Blending the timeless art of storytelling with contemporary performance, this workshop production features artists with acclaimed international careers across stage, screen and television. Some were most recently seen on Broadway or in London’s West End, others are celebrated producers, directors, or drama educators.
Twenty years ago, this same ensemble first came together on a mountain cabin in Salzburg. Now reunited for a single evening, they present theatre at its finest – amidst the stunning natural setting of the Schlosspark at Wartholz, Reichenau an der Rax.
THE Lineup
Actors and Creatives
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Arthur Darvill
is well known for his role of Rory Williams in Doctor Who and received an Olivier Award for his role in Oklahoma!. A musician and composer, he was most recently seen in the Netflix series Sandman.
Caroline Kilpatrick
following her training as an actor, forged a successful career as a voice and communications coach. She works with executives and teaches in schools and at universities.
Joe Kloska
recently performed alongside Kenneth Branagh in King Lear on Broadway. His screen credits include The Crown (Netflix), Foyle’s War and Happy Go Lucky. In Reichenau, he directs and also performs in the play.
David Luff
began in experimental theatre and is now a sought-after producer. Most recently, he produced the acclaimed West End runs of Network with Bryan Cranston and of Dr. Strangelove with Steve Coogan.
Lucinda Millward
has taught at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London and currently leads the acting programme at the Fontainebleau School of Acting in France.
Philippe Narval
produced the ensemble’s first performance in 2005. He regularly launches projects at the intersection of culture, science, and politics, and works professionally in the field of disability inclusion.
Tyne Rafaeli
is an award-winning theatre and film director based in New York. Her productions such as Selling Kabul and Power Strip have garnered widespread acclaim and she was nominated for the prestigious Drama Desk Award.
Jim Russell
began in experimental theatre and fter graduating from RADA, and working as an actor and producer, became a dedicated acting teacher and has since inspired countless students across the UK. He now leads the drama programme at the distinguished Framlingham College.
Jay Taylor
has appeared for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, London and New York and on television in Manhunt, Ten Percent and Britannia. He is an award-winning writer and his first play, The Acedian Pirates, was staged in 2016.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
is a multi-award-winning author and actress; her series Fleabag won six Emmy Awards. She co-wrote the screenplay for the Bond film No Time to Die and produced the series Killing Eve.
who has exhibited internationally since 1995, has created an original painting for the production of The Odyssey at Schloss Wartholz.
SChLOSS
WARTHOLZ
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THE VENUE
TICKETS & PERFORMANCE DETAILS
One-night-only: Saturday, 2 August 2025, 7:00 PM
Duration: approx. 90 minutes (no interval)
Language: English
Tickets: purchase here
Venue: Gardens of Schloss Wartholz, Reichenau an der Rax (In case of rain: Literatur Salon, Schlossgärtnerei Wartholz)
Entrance: Via Schlossgärtnerei Wartholz, Hauptstraße 113, 2651 Reichenau an der Rax
This is an open-air promenade performance through the castle gardens – there is no seating provided. The audience walks from scene to scene.
Please bring a blanket or something to sit on if desired.
Over the past twenty years, Michaela and Christian Blazek have lovingly restored Schloss Wartholz in Reichenau an der Rax. In the castle’s Orangerie and the Literatursalon, they host a year-round cultural programme, with a focus on classical music. As hosts and supporters, they are welcoming the English ensemble and opening their castle grounds for this very special performance.
GETTING THERE
By Train: Nearest train station is Payerbach-Reichenau (one hour from Vienna)
We recommend using the RUFbus Semmering-Rax – a local shuttle service that connects visitors from the station to accommodations, cultural venues, mountain lifts, and hiking trails. For bookings and information, call the RUFbus Hotline: +43 660 900 88 22
By Car: Take the S6 Semmering Expressway – Exit Gloggnitz – B27 towards Payerbach – continue to Reichenau an der Rax – at the end of the village, go straight through the roundabout – after approx. 200 metres, turn left to the Schlossgärtnerei, or use the parking spaces on the right-hand side of the road.
THE REVIEWS
IT'S A CLASSIC
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GLOBAL TRIBUNE
20.4.2035
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CITY HERALD
10.5.2035
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NATIONAL GAZETTE
20.7.2035
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