Mystery Drama Notes

by John Beck

Conceived as a series of seven, four of Rudolf Steiner’s mystery dramas were performed in August, in Munich, from 1910 to 1913. In 2012 Karl Frederickson, long-time Waldorf history teacher and mystery drama performer in an earlier round, shared this description with Threefold Mystery Drama Group director Barbara Renold.

"August 20 1912 in Munich 800 people from many nations gathered to watch the cycle of the first three Mystery Dramas, which took place over the ensuing four days. Gunther Wachsmuth cites a report of that time which stated, “Probably never before has it happened, as on August 24, that a worldly place of entertainment such as the Gartnerplatz Theater was emptied of its audience in such complete silence.” Wachsmuth goes on to give his account of the significance of this event: “Once more it is astonishing to observe how a group of persons relatively so small succeeded in releasing themselves from their ordinary occupations and duties for a brief time in order to devote themselves during this festival period with all the powers of soul and will to an activity of such an utterly different character: an extraordinary contribution in concentration, will power, and unselfishness in order that this work of art might be presented in its objective greatness.… Just as true meditation is effective only when it has to be gained with difficulty for a few moments of the day from the utterly unlike duties of daily life, but then fills a reservoir of forces from which can always be drawn, so also such an event as that of the presentation of these Mysteries, brought about through the will power of persons schooled for this, will become a practice in meditation and concentration at a higher level and intensified, which fortifies the inner sources of strength in those participating and those experiencing the undertaking. And the knowledge of the Guardian of the Threshold, awakened in these Mystery Dramas, renders so clear the way upon which once must enter, its dangers and hindrances, that the person thus aroused and armed goes forward differently into the battle of life.” (Guenther Wachsmuth, The Life and Work of Rudolf Steiner, p. 178)

The fifth drama would have come in August 1914, but that month became infamous in another way when Europe’s leaders failed to prevent a slide into The Great War. In the extraordinary cultural vortex of the previous decades, Rudolf Steiner’s work rose like a scaffolding for a global cultural breakthrough. Europe had conquered the world, unexpectedly, over the previous four centuries, and had finally begun to appreciate and integrate the ancient and traditional cultures it supplanted and largely destroyed. The wealth of trade and industry had allowed for a great increase in cultural work among Europeans. An astonishing group of artists, scientists, and thinkers were reaching toward new goals.

But the war was fought for wealth and power and imperial advantage. “World karma” seems a fitting phrase, seeing that supreme Europe, unleashing terrible destruction in its own heartlands in pursuit of unworthy goals, should now substantially destroy its own cultural legacy and authority and confidence, so that cultural leadership would pass to the wings, Russia and America.

So in August 1914 “another drama was in production” and Rudolf Steiner wrote no fifth mystery play. How fitting that in 2014 we have the August festival to look forward to at Threefold Educational Center, as well as initiatives to bring forth that fifth drama in the near future.