Goldberg Variations (play)

The Goldberg Variations is a stage play conceived and directed by George Tabori, originally performed in 1991. It is not directly related to Johann Sebastian Bach's musical work of the same name. Instead, Tabori's Goldberg Variations is a theatrical exploration of the act of artistic creation, the nature of genius, and the complexities of the relationship between a creator and their work.

The play typically features a figure referred to as "Mr. Jay" (representing Johann Sebastian Bach) who is attempting to compose the Goldberg Variations with the help of several actors who embody various aspects of his personality, his anxieties, and his creative process. These actors take on multiple roles, sometimes acting as members of Bach's family, at other times personifying abstract concepts like memory or doubt.

Tabori’s production is characterized by a highly theatrical and often absurd style. The play aims to deconstruct the myth surrounding Bach and his music, presenting a human and flawed depiction of the artist wrestling with his art. The script includes spoken dialogue, musical interludes (often drawn from Bach's works), and improvisational elements that allow for a degree of variation in each performance.

The play is noted for its self-referential nature, frequently breaking the fourth wall to address the audience directly and comment on the nature of theatrical representation. The use of metatheatre and intertextuality challenges viewers to consider the boundaries between reality and fiction, the artist and their creation, and the audience and the performance. It is often described as a complex and intellectually stimulating work that engages with themes of artistic identity, the burden of genius, and the power of music.