Steiner and The Snake is a sharp and insightful examination of Rudolf Steiner’s troubling doctrines and the turmoil that unfolds when they are questioned within the confines of a Steiner school classroom.

From the outset, Düssler directly addresses the audience, framing the performance as his personal break-up with Steiner’s ideology. His one-man show then unfolds in a classroom setting, where he seamlessly shifts between eight distinct characters: students, teachers and even Steiner himself.

Through masterful physicality, precise gestures, and clever use of props and staging, Düssler ensures each character is instantly recognisable, making every transition effortless. However, while the stage layout is well-conceived, a lectern positioned downstage centre occasionally obstructs the view of certain characters for some audience members.

Though the subject matter is serious, well-placed moments of humour keep the performance dynamic and engaging. Düssler reassures the audience, “It’s theatre, we’re allowed to laugh.”

A skilled storyteller, Düssler commands both his stage and audience with ease. While some moments in the play might benefit from a bit more background on Steiner and his doctrines, this is counterbalanced by the inclusion of indisputably questionable primary sources — Düssler reading directly from Steiner’s lectures.

As the show concludes, I overhear an audience member in front of me turn to her companion and say, “Wow, I am both educated and confused,” before asking, “Do these schools exist here?” Her companion nods, confirming the presence of Steiner schools in the region. Both appear as shocked as the students in Düssler’s play, clearly left with a newfound curiosity — and concern — about Steiner’s troubling philosophies.

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