The Theatre Times: The programmes of the 2017/2018 season are still defined by the theme complex “Migrant Life in Germany.” However, the theatres are also reacting strongly to the increasing number of autocrats who are transforming democratic state structures into presidential dictatorships.
Alongside the customary mixed repertoire with a portion of classical plays and premieres of new dramas, the programmes comprise an abundance of productions on post-migrant life in Germany. Yet the focus is no longer a cursory engagement with the fate of the refugees, but the question: “What comes after the flight?” Responding to this, in most cases, are authors, directors, and artists who came to Germany with their families or who were born here.
2 comments:
This article really paints a vivid and intriguing portrait of the way that German theater has pointedly responded to the events unfolding around in real time, from the tackling of migrant issues to the criticism of rising autocratic and fascist attitudes in this troubling time. Germany has been increasingly relevant to our global community nowadays, so their art and culture are also something I have been gaining an interest in as they grapple with so much of the same issues we do in our country. The way in which theater makers in Germany have responded to present day issues is inspiring to me as an American, as I feel that we too require theater to make a response to and comment on the conditions we are currently undergoing politically. Theater can really illuminate the true nature of things, and I have been feeling that truth is hard to come by in our government nowadays. I think we could use some pointed artistic responses of our own.
As someone living in the US, I am always interested to see what other countries are producing. It seems as though Germany is exploding with politically motivated theater, and I think that’s really interesting because German theater seems to have an awareness that American theater does not. I am particularly interested in the adaptation of 1984, because of even though it is an older story it is just as relevant as ever. Germany pushes the limits in mainstream theater, whereas often we see that pushing happening in smaller venues. Even though, this article gives a smattering of just some of the productions, but as Patrick states Germany is becoming much more of a force in the theater world today. Even though we don’t think about it much, some amazing theater has come out of Germany historically as well.
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