Nothing new, please! In times of social uncertainty, the desire for aesthetic order and familiar imagery grows. Massive budget cuts and a lack of new subscribers place institutions under economic pressure to secure a repertoire that sells well. Priority is given to productions that guarantee audience numbers: well-known titles, established choreographers, virtuosity, and formats that evoke nostalgia and a sense of security. They reassure the market—and the audience—that money has been spent on something “beautiful.” Beautiful because it aligns with established viewing habits and offers entertainment that is as painless as possible. This changes the art itself.
Instead of countering a culture of mindless entertainment and strengthening the theater as a space for encounter and critical ...
