2024-11-18 15:58:00
Hamburg – When Donald Trump was elected President of the USA in 2016, Elfriede Jelinek wrote On the Royal Road the piece for the hour. This premiered almost a year later in a production by Falk Richter at the Schauspielhaus Hamburg. Now the director is staging a brand new text by the Nobel Prize winner for literature on the current situation in America in the same theater, as the theater announced. The premiere is on December 6th.
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What themes from Elfriede Jelinek’s new text do you believe will resonate most with audiences in today’s political climate?
**Interview with Falk Richter, Director of the Upcoming Production at Schauspielhaus Hamburg**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Falk. Your upcoming premiere features a brand new text by Nobel Prize laureate Elfriede Jelinek, centered around the current situation in America. What prompted you to revisit Jelinek’s work and bring it back to the stage?
**Falk Richter:** Thank you for having me. Jelinek’s voice is incredibly relevant, especially in today’s socio-political climate. Her new text delves deep into the complexities and contradictions we face in America now, mirroring the turbulent atmosphere we saw during Trump’s presidency. It was essential to bring this to the audience’s attention through the lens of contemporary theater.
**Editor:** You previously worked on “On the Royal Road,” which was a response to Trump’s election. In what ways does this new piece diverge from or build upon that earlier work?
**Falk Richter:** The new piece is a natural evolution. While “On the Royal Road” addressed the immediate fallout of Trump’s election, this work reflects on the ongoing impacts of that administration and the current political landscape. It explores themes of division, identity, and resistance, pushing the audience to confront the questions that still haunt us today.
**Editor:** This production seems likely to stir a variety of opinions. How do you expect audiences to react, especially those who may hold different political views?
**Falk Richter:** Art has the power to provoke thought and debate. I anticipate mixed reactions; some may feel challenged, while others might resonate with the themes presented. It’s crucial for us to engage in discussions, and theater can serve as a space for that dialogue. I believe it’s important for audiences to reflect critically on their perspectives through the lens of theater.
**Editor:** Given the divisive nature of contemporary politics, do you think Jelinek’s insights will lead to constructive debate among viewers, or might it deepen existing divides?
**Falk Richter:** That’s a significant question. Art can either unite or divide, but I hope for the former. By confronting uncomfortable truths, we can foster understanding—not just agreement. The goal is to open up conversations and allow for differing opinions to coexist in a respectful manner. It’s this dialogue that can ultimately lead to growth.
**Editor:** What message do you hope to convey through this new production, particularly at a time when many feel hopeless about the future?
**Falk Richter:** I want to convey that while the situation may seem bleak, art and conversation are powerful tools for change. Through Jelinek’s insights, we can find a way to question and challenge the status quo. It’s about resilience and the importance of staying engaged even in dark times.
**Editor:** Thank you, Falk. Your insights certainly provide a lot to chew on. Given what we’ve discussed, do you think audiences will find this engagement with Jelinek’s work illuminating or polarizing? Could this production be a catalyst for important discussions, or might it simply deepen the divides that currently exist in society?
