der grosse tyrann (the great tyrant) is a feminist performance collective made up of Liliane Koch and Maude Hélène Vuilleumier that deals with feminine self-staging and self-presentation in a humorous way. In AVE MARIA, der grosse tyrann goes out in search for the most holy of feminine idols, the most portrayed woman in the world: Maria. They begin to investigate their own behavioural patterns. Hail Mary, full of grace, blessed are you among women. You are written into me, a Western-Christian influenced woman. You are the idol that I never wanted, the mother, that I never asked for. You gave me my endless empathy, my acquiescence and the beguiling smile with my head tilted at an angle. But have you ever laughed properly? And what will we find, when we look under your royal blue skirt? Holy Mary, pray for us sinners who love to sin. Now and in the hour of our death. Amen.