Wanderspiele

The Performer emerges from the wings to stand center stage of the proscenium. He takes a brief moment to look at everyone: a direct, unaffected look as though he’s there on official business, just getting a sense of the numbers. The Performer turns stage right and walks along the apron, descends down a set of stairs and proceeds briskly through the center aisle of the house toward the exit to the lobby. Before leaving, he turns to the audience: “Follow me, please.” A few spectators dutifully rise to follow—they have been to enough peripatetic performances to know what’s required of them. Others stand up with a sigh, reluctant to get up from their plush theatre seats, already bored by yet another Wanderspiele. The spectators at the head of the pack find him waiting at the front doors. “Let’s go,” he says, and leads the way out.