A child enters the stage and starts to speak. Is this a professional theatre performance or a school play? The child doesn't seem particularly old, but he understands Goethe, and his words appear very deliberate, almost predetermined, as if someone is speaking through him - but who? Perhaps he was just brought up that way? 

Rudolf Steiner founded the first Waldorf School in Stuttgart in 1919, and since then, Waldorf education has become a global success. But what many don’t realise is that it is all based on a specific idea of what children are - namely, that they are not really children at all, but very old souls. This idea is at the heart of Steiner's philosophical worldview: Anthroposophy.

Waldorf education remains controversial because of these spiritual, esoteric origins. But beyond the schools, Anthroposophy can be found throughout our modern world: in organic farming, the corporate philosophies of skincare products, homeopathic medicine, vaccine hesitancy. 100 years after his death, with the world in spiritual crisis, Steiner is suddenly everywhere.

The Education of Rudolf Steiner premiered on October 12th 2024, at Schauspiel Stuttgart.

“The technical realisation is magnificent. Kevin Gleeson's associative music opens dream bridges into the world of anthroposophy… With light British humour, Dead Centre show the comic side of Waldorf education.…. [and] captivate the audience from the first to the last moment with strong theatre images.” 
Theater der Zeit

“The Dead Centre directing collective has developed a fascinating stage concept  Ultimately, we are witnessing a fairy-tale song of praise to the power of the imagination. But that's not all! This production can also be understood as a metaphor for the theatre itself.”
TAZ

“Dead Centre prove to be adept at playing puzzles. If you want to ignore the biting nature of the production, change levels and enjoy its formal beauty and the masterful play with mirrors and reflections.” 
Nachtkritik