Theatre, populism and morality

It is no coincidence that theatre was invented at the same time as Athenian democracy. Since then, politicians have used the presentational tricks of rhetoric and dramatics in order to win over a majority; and tragic theatre shows the dangers of hubris that lie in wait for anyone with such power over fellow human beings. The escalation of conflict, considered an essential feature of populism, is simultaneously the core of dramatic action.

The long history of theatre can be viewed as an aesthetic struggle to tame populism with the help of morality. But is morality the right weapon in this political struggle, and at what point does morality become preaching? We must constantly revisit these questions with a fresh mind.

Kulturhaus Helferei, Kirchgasse 13, 8001 Zürich

Language - German

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  Bernd Stegemann studied Philosophy and German at the Freie Universität Berlin and the University of Hamburg. As a dramaturge he has worked and continues to work at Frankfurt's Theater am Turm, at the Deutsches Theater Berlin, and at the Schaubühne theatre in Berlin, as well as working at various other theatres and festivals. He was appointed Professor of History of Theatre and Dramaturgy at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2005. Bernd Stegemann's much-discussed monograph “Kritik des Theaters (Critique of Theatre)” was published in 2013, and his book “Lob des Realisimus (In Praise of Realism)” appeared in 2015. He published the book “Das Gespenst des Populismus: Ein Essay zur politischen Dramaturgie (The Spectre of Populism: An essay on political dramaturgy)” in 2017.

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