The Mystery Dramas - Anthroposophical Society in America

Rudolf Steiner
The Mystery Dramas
The Portal of Initiation
The Challenge of the Soul
The Guardian of the Threshold
The Souls’ Awakening
Performances 2010
Goetheanum-Buehne /
Goetheanum Stage

Rudolf Steiner - The Four Mystery Dramas
A new production by the Goetheanum Stage
The Portal of Initiation
The Challenge of the Soul
The Guardian of the Threshold
The Souls’ Awakening
Artistic Director, Director
of Eurythmy: Gioia Falk
Director of Acting: Christian Peter
Stage & Costume Design: Roy Spahn
Lighting Design: Peter Jackson &
Ilja van der Linden
Music: Elmar Lampson
In creating the extraordinary arc of the
four Mystery Dramas, Rudolf Steiner’s aim
was to give artistic shape to the central
themes living within Anthroposophy:
reincarnation and karma, the spiritual development
of the individual, community
building and the meeting with evil. They
depict the crises that a particular group
of people go through and the progress
they make along their individual paths
of spiritual and soul development. The
fact that the spiritual development of any
individual within the group influences and
defines the destiny of the whole group,
and that a community can only call itself
a community when it is able to carry the
crises and wrong turns experienced by
the individuals within it, belongs to the
visionary social substance at the heart of
the plays.
The destinies of the main characters
evolve in such a way that they are led
to experiences of their past incarnations
in the Middle Ages and at the decline
of the culture of ancient Egypt. In their
mighty images the Mystery Dramas reveal
the settings of these past incarnations as
they are reflected in the meditations and
dreams of the main characters.
Every step in their spiritual development
exposes these characters to new influences
and to new illusions created by
the powers of evil. That in the individual
phases of development of the main
characters Lucifer and Ahriman become
their necessary companions is an essential
aspect of a subtle and complex
understanding of the nature of evil which
Goethe hints at in his Faust and which
the Mystery Dramas further develop and
specify.
A century after the premiere of the first
play in Munich, Germany, and one year
prior to the 150th anniversary of Rudolf
Steiner’s birth, all four Mystery Dramas
are being performed in a brand-new
staging by the Goetheanum Stage.
“There is no such thing as development in general; there is only the development
of the one or other or third or fourth or thousandth person. There have
to be as many developmental processes as there are human beings on the
earth.”
Rudolf Steiner, 31 October 1910

Performance Dates 2010
The Mystery Dramas as part of the Easter Conference: „Death and
Resurrection at the Threshold“, Thursday 1 April, 9.30 a.m. – Sunday 4 April
April
Thu 1 April 9.30 a.m. – approx. 5.00 p.m. The Guardian of the Threshold,
Mystery Drama 3 (Premiere)
Sat 3 April 9.30 a.m. – approx. 6.30 p.m. The Souls’ Awakening, Mystery Drama 4
The Four Mystery Dramas in May
Mai
Mon 17 May 10.30 a.m. – 12.00 a.m. Introduction by Peter Selg
2.00 p.m. – approx. 10.30 p.m. The Portal of Initiation, Mystery Drama 1
Tue 18 May 9.30 a.m. – approx. 5.30 p.m. The Challenge of the Soul, Mystery Drama 2
Wed 19 May 10.30 a.m. – 12.00 a.m. Introduction Peter Selg
2.00 p.m. – approx. 9.30 p.m. The Guardian of the Threshold, Mystery Drama 3
Thu 20 May 9.30 a.m. – approx. 6.30 p.m. The Souls’ Awakening, Mystery Drama 4
Mystery Drama Weekends
June
Sat 12 June 10.30 a.m. – 12.00 a.m. Introduction by Mechthild Oltmann
& Bodo von Plato
2.00 p.m. – approx. 10.30 p.m. The Portal of Initiation, Mystery Drama 1
Sun 13 June 9.30 a.m. – approx. 5.30 p.m. The Challenge of the Soul, Mystery Drama 2
Sat 26 June 10.30 a.m. – 12.00 a.m. Introduction by Vicke von Behr & Bodo von Plato
2.00 p.m. – approx. 9.30 p.m. The Guardian of the Threshold, Mystery Drama 3
Sun 27 June 9.30 a.m. – approx. 6.30 p.m. The Souls’ Awakening, Mystery Drama 4
Summer Performances of the four Mystery Dramas, with simultaneous translations
into English and French, Thursday 29 July – Sunday 1 August
July
Thu 29 July 2.00 p.m. – approx. 10.30 p.m. The Portal of Initiation, Mystery Drama 1
Fri 30 July 2.00 p.m. – approx. 10.00 p.m. The Challenge of the Soul, Mystery Drama 2
Sat 31 July 2.00 p.m. – approx. 9.30 p.m. The Guardian of the Threshold, Mystery Drama 3
Sun 1 Aug 2.00 p.m. – approx. 11.00 p.m. The Souls’ Awakening, Mystery Drama 4
Daily 9.30 a.m. – 11.00 a.m.
Lectures and demonstrations
Mystery Dramas as part of the Christmas Conference, with translation into Dutch, Sunday
26 December - Saturday 1 January 2011
December
Mon 27 Dec 9.30 a.m. – approx. 6.00 p.m. The Portal of Initiation, Mystery Drama 1
Tue 28 Dec 9.30 a.m. – approx. 5.30 p.m. The Challenge of the Soul, Mystery Drama 2
Thu 30 Dec 9.30 a.m. – approx. 5.00 p.m. The Guardian of the Threshold,
Mystery Drama 3
Sat 1 Jan 9.30 a.m. – approx. 6.30 p.m. The Souls’ Awakening, Mystery Drama 4
On arrival you will be given a performance schedule with the exact break times and
an overview of the sequence of scenes in the four plays.
Please note: there are only limited numbers of tickets available for individual performances of
the Mystery Dramas which are part of any conferences.

A Special Invitation to
Members of the Anthroposophical
Society
The Mystery Dramas were intended to
both enrich the life of the Anthroposophical
Society and make that life more
readily understandable. This was a significant
theme in 1910 and has recently been
influential in making the decision to stage
the plays anew. The Goetheanum is now
offering members of the Anthroposophical
Society tickets at concessionary
rates (approx. 30% reductions).
Early Bird Discount
Non-members of the Anthroposo phical
Society who book tickets before 31
March 2010 can purchase them at the
Early Bird discount rate, which is 75% of
the full price. Choose the performance
dates you would like to attend, then
enter on the booking form how many
tickets and in which category you wish
to book. The tickets will be mailed to you
at least three weeks prior to the performance
Gift Vouchers for
the Mystery Dramas
Would you like to give a family member,
friend or acquaintance a ticket to a performance
of one or more of the Mystery
Dramas? You may take advantage of
the same Early Bird discount if you
book before 31 March 2010, and the
same members’ concessions apply if the
recipients belong to the Anthroposo phical
Society. Please enter the number and
category of tickets you wish to purchase
in the part of the booking form designated
for gift vouchers, and we will mail
the vouchers either to you or directly to
the recipient(s).

Booking Form
Postal Address: Goetheanum Reception, Postfach, CH-4143 Dornach, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)61-706 44 44 Fax: +41 (0)61-706 44 46 Email: tickets@goetheanum.org
Individual Performances
Please complete the booking form by entering both the number and category of tickets you
wish to book into the appropriate boxes:
Drama 3, Thu 1 April
Drama 4, Sat 3 April
Drama 1, Mon 17 May
Drama 2, Tue 18 May
Drama 3, Wed 19 May
Drama 4, Thu 20 May
Drama 1, Sat 12 June
Drama 2, Sun 13 June
Drama 3, Sat 26 June
Drama 4, Sun 27 June
Drama 1, Thu 29 July
Drama 2, Fri 30 July
Drama 3, Sat 31 July
Drama 4, Sun 1 Aug.
Drama 1, Mon 27 Dec.
Drama 2, Tue 28 Dec.
Drama 3, Thu 30 Dec.
Drama 4, Sat 1 Jan.
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Parking
Full EB* conc.** Full EB* conc.** Full EB* conc.** Permit
Meals
Membership No.:
Concessions for members of the General Anthroposophical Society
Comments:
Gift Vouchers for Mystery Drama Performances
Please send me gift vouchers for the Mystery Dramas.
Please enter how many gift vouchers you wish to purchase in the form below:
Gift Voucher
Single Drama
Gift Voucher
Dramas 1–4
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Parking
Full EB* conc.*** Full EB* conc.*** Full EB* conc.*** Permit
Meals
* EB = Early Bird discounts for bookings received by 31 March 2010 (date of postmark)
** Please enclose a copy of appropriate I.D. or enter your membership number
of the General Anthroposophical Society
*** When redeeming gift vouchers purchased at concessionary rates, please enclose either a copy
of appropriate I.D. or enter your membership number of the General Anthroposophical Society

The Mystery Dramas as Part of a
Conference at the Goetheanum
Thinking about experiencing the Mystery Dramas as part of a conference? Just let us know: we’ll be happy to
send you the conference programme and booking form as soon as they are available!
Easter Conference: (Thursday 1 April – Sunday 4 April, incl. performances of Mystery Dramas 3 & 4)
Conference at Ascension: The Christological Foundations of the Christmas Conference 1923-24 &
Its Consequences (Thursday 13 May – Sunday 16 May)
Whitsun Conference: Julian Apostata – Herzeloyde – Tycho Brahe – An Individual’s Path of Destiny and its
Influence within the Michael Stream (Friday 21 May,7.30 p.m. – Sunday 23 May)
Third International English Conference: Entering into the 21st Century Spiritually
(Monday 2 August, 3.30 p.m. - Saturday 7 August)
Christmas Conference: (Sunday 26 December – Saturday 1 January 2011,
incl. performances of all four Mystery Dramas)
Information on the Youth Conference: Mystery Drama Is You (Saturday 24 July – Sunday 1 August)
will be shortly appearing on the Youth Section website: www.youthsection.org
Insurance
I confirm that I wish to take out cancellation insurance for all events booked (3% of total costs, min. CHF 5)
Method of payment:
Credit card
Credit cards: (all countries) Visa Mastercard American Express
Card number: / / /
Expiry Date: /
Invoice (German or Swiss bank account holders only):
Invoice Address:
Mr. Mrs. Ms.
First name, surname:
House number, street:
Town/city, post/zip code:
Country:
Tel.:
Email:
Delivery address for gift voucher(s):
Mr. Mrs. Ms.
First name, surname:
House number, street:
Town/city, post/zip code:
Country:
Tel.:
Email:
Fax:
Fax:
Please send me the free bi-monthly Goetheanum Stage performance programme
Please send me the free bi-annual Goetheanum schedule of conferences and events
I, the undersigned, confirm acceptance of the method of payment detailed above
Place, date, signature

Booking Information
Concessions
All members of the Anthroposophical Society are eligible to purchase tickets at concessionary rates. Please
quote your membership number on the booking form.
Concessions are also available to students, school students, senior citizens, apprentices, military conscripts,
conscientious objectors, the disabled & the unwaged. Proof of status is required: please enclose a copy of
appropriate I.D. with your booking form.
Early Bird Discounts
Book before 31 March 2010 (date of postmark) and receive approx. 25% discount! Please note: Early Bird
discounts are available on tickets at full price only. They are not valid in conjunction with any other concessions.
The Mystery Dramas as Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers (which give the recipient the opportunity to book tickets for performances of the Mystery Dramas)
will be sent to you or to any other delivery address on receipt of payment.
Meals
One meal per day is provided for the duration of the conference or performances. Price: CHF 20. We regret that
food allergies or intolerances cannot be catered for at conference or performance meals. Further information:
www.speisehaus.ch
Parking at the Goetheanum
Parking permits may be purchased for the car parks around the Goetheanum.
Permit fee: CHF 7.00 per vehicle per day. Please display disability badges clearly in the vehicle.
Confirmation & Methods of Payment
Credit cards (all countries): Once your booking has been processed the total sum will be charged to your card.
Confirmation will be (e)mailed to you once your booking has been processed; tickets will be mailed to you at
least three weeks prior to the event.
Invoice (Germany/Switzerland only): Confirmation will be (e)mailed to you once your booking has been processed.
Invoice and tickets will be mailed to you at least three weeks prior to the event.
Payment from other countries: Confirmation will be (e)mailed to you once your booking has been processed.
On arrival at the Goetheanum pre-booked tickets may be collected from Reception (on the ground floor of the
building). The Goetheanum accepts Swiss francs and Euros in cash, as well as the following credit cards: VISA,
MasterCard, American Express, ec-direct and PostFinance Card Schweiz.
Cancellation: your ticket booking is final, and no refunds are available if you are unable to attend a performance.
We therefore strongly recommend the cancellation insurance policy below:
Cancellation Insurance: For a fee of 3% of the total costs (min. CHF 5) you may take out a cancellation insurance
policy which covers the cost of your booking in the event of illness (your own, of your partner, or of
children living in the same household), unemployment or force majeure.
Data Processing: All address data supplied are electronically recorded and stored.
Accommodation
We recommend the following hotels and guesthouses* for your accommodation needs:
Guesthouses & Goetheanum Accommodation Office
Accommodation Office: rooms from CHF 45 (approx. € 30)
Tel. +41 (0)61 706 44 45 · zimmer@goetheanum.ch
Haus Friedwart:
rooms from CHF 75 (approx. € 50), approx. 5 min. walk to Goetheanum
Tel. +41 (0)61 706 42 82 · www.friedwart.ch
Begegnungszentrum: rooms from CHF 26 (approx. € 17), approx. 10 min. walk to Goetheanum
Tel. +41 (0)61 706 42 82 · friedwart@goetheanum.ch
Guesthouse Stiftung Kloster Dornach: rooms from CHF 65 (approx. € 44)
Tel. +41 (0)61 701 12 72 · www.klosterdornach.ch
Hotels in Dornach & Arlesheim: rooms from CHF 120 (approx. € 80)
Romantikhotel Engel Dornach Tel. +41 (0)61 705 04 04 · www.hotel-engel.ch
Hotel Eremitage Arlesheim Tel. +41 (0)61 701 54 20 · www.eremitage.ch
Hotel zum Ochsen Arlesheim Tel. +41 (0)61 706 52 00 · www.ochsen.ch
Dormitories & group accommodation: rooms from CHF 20 (approx. € 14)
Youth Hostel Basel City Tel. +41 (0)61 365 99 60 · www.youthhostel.ch
basel back pack
Tel. +41 (0)61 333 00 37 · www.baselbackpack.ch
(inkl. mobility ticket)
* Prices are per person per night, and may be subject to change.
Please note: due to fluctuations in exchange rates prices in Euros may vary.

Prices in CHF
Mystery Dramas 1 – 4
Price per person per play
C1: 280,– / EB 210,– / concessions 190,–
C2: 220,– / EB 165,– / concessions 150,–
C3: 140,– / EB 110,– / concessions 90,–
All four Mystery Dramas
as a package
Price per person for all four plays
C1: 960,– / EB 720,– / concessions 620,–
C2: 720,– / EB 540,– / concessions 480,–
C3: 460,– / FB 360,– / concessions 300,–
EB = Early Bird discount
Prices in Euros*
Mystery Dramas 1 - 4
Price per person per play
C1: 190,– / EB 140,– / concessions 130,–
C2: 150,– / EB 110,– / concessions 100,–
C3: 95,– / EB 75,– / concessions 60,–
All four Mystery Dramas
as a package
Price per person for all four plays
C1: 640,– / EB 480,– / concessions 420,–
C2: 480,– / EB 360,– / concessions 320,–
C3: 310,– / EB 240,– / concessions 200,–
* Please note: due to fluctuations in exchange
rates prices in Euros may vary.
C1: Rows 2-7, Seats 1-12, Centre
C2: Rows 8-23, Centre
Seating in categories
Parking permit
per vehicle per day: 7 CHF (€ 5)
Hot meals
One hot meal per conference or performance
day may be booked separately:
Price per person per day: CHF 20 (€13.50)
All ticket prices include refreshments at
breaks and introductory lectures.
C3: Rows 1-23, Side; Rows 24-25
Goetheanum
Reception & Events
Postfach, CH-4143 Dornach, Switzerland
Box Office
Open daily 8.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m.
Telephone bookings
Opening hours:
Monday – Saturday 2.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.
Tel: +41 - (0)61 - 706 44 44
Fax: +41 - (0)61 - 706 44 46
Email: tickets@goetheanum.org
www.goetheanum.org
www.goetheanum-buehne.ch