Theater management sharply criticizes idea of bundling divisions

The Chemnitz theater management has sharply criticized plans to combine drama and musical theater on one stage in future. According to a statement, this would not only mean a reduction in all disciplines, but would also at least halve the artistic offering. In addition, projects such as the Christmas fairy tale, the school theater week or theater festivals could no longer be carried out, nor could major musical theater productions.

The Chemnitz Schauspielhaus is dilapidated and should have been renovated long ago. Due to spiraling costs, a new building is now being discussed as an alternative. However, the opera house also needs to be renovated in the foreseeable future. According to media reports, the SPD therefore put forward the idea in the city council of renovating the opera house so that it can also be used for spoken theater - in other words, a stage for all genres.

Opera house as a stage for plays?

The opera house is not a stage for plays and cannot become one, explained the theater management led by General Director Christoph Dittrich. "The orchestra pit provides a large distance and lines of sight that prevent the theater from being close. The acoustic conditions are also only suitable for spoken theater to a very limited extent." As rehearsals also have to take place on the stages, a merger would reduce performance operations even further than is apparent at first glance.

The theater management appealed to the city council to develop viable solutions for the theatre and opera house. The aim is to secure Chemnitz's cultural appeal in the long term after its year as European Capital of Culture 2025. The aim is to create planning security in order to guarantee long-term quality. "The Schauspielhaus is not just a venue, but a central component of this city's cultural identity."

The Chemnitz five-section theater offers opera, ballet, philharmonic, drama and puppet theater. This year, it is hosting Germany's most important festival of international stage art, the "Theater der Welt" from 18 June to 5 July.