Marie Rötzer Takes Over Vienna's Theater in der Josefstadt After 20 Years

Marie Rötzer has begun her first season as director of Vienna's Theater in der Josefstadt, marking a new start after 20 years. The theater, founded in 1788, is the third-largest playhouse in Vienna and is considered to have emerged from the people themselves. Rötzer, who took up the directorship this season, says audiences still regard "the Josefstadt" as their own theater, their property, even their home. She notes that these spectators are less interested in themes than in stories, and prefer to be moved sensually rather than intellectually challenged. Explaining the Theater in der Josefstadt to people in Germany, especially in Berlin, is not easy, according to the article. The venue is described as representing almost exactly what distinguishes Austrian theatrical passion from German: the audience. Changes are necessary under the new leadership, but above all the new management must bring its public along. Further details are available in the current issue of Der Freitag.