!!!Volkstheater Deutsches

Volkstheater (Deutsches), built in 1887-1889 by the theatre architects 
F.  Fellner and H.  Helmer in the 7%%sup th/%  district in Vienna. It 
constituted a new form of theatre which was taken over by the theatres 
of many other towns in the Austrian Monarchy. Established by a group 
of Viennese townsmen ("Laube-Verein") as a contrast to the 
Hofburg theatre (Court Theatre) with the intention of making 
contemporary plays, popular plays (folk plays), classic plays and 
Austrian dramas accessible to a broader audience. Opened in 1889 with 
the premiere of "Der Fleck auf der Ehr´" by L.  
Anzengruber. Under its first directors, E. v. Bukovics 
(1889-1905), A. Weisse (1905-1916) and K. Wallner (1916-1918) many 
plays written by L. Anzengruber, H.  Bahr, K.  Schoenherr and H. Ibsen 
had their premiere at the Volkstheater. A.  Bernau (1918-1924) laid 
particular emphasis on Expressionist dramas (e.g. G. Kaiser, W. 
Hasenclever, E. Toller), with the decor and costumes of O.  Strnad; 
under R.  Beer (1924-1932) the Volkstheater became a forum for the 
newest dramas (B. Brecht, A. Bronnen, P. Kornfeld, F. T.  Csokor, 
who also was a dramatic adviser at the theatre), under R.  Jahn 
(1932-1938) the theatre's sophisticated level gave way to a repertory 
of popular comedies and from 1938-1944 director W. B. Iltz used 
the Volkstheater as a mouthpiece for the Deutsche Arbeitsfront 
(National Socialist trade-union type association with compulsory 
membership). The building had been damaged during World War II 
and after the war was restored and re-opened for work in an initiative 
staged by actors and technicians. When the theatre was reopened in 
June 1945, R. Jahn became director for the second time, and its name 
was officially changed to "Volkstheater". From July 1945 G.  Haenel 
became director and once again ran the Volkstheater as a controversial 
theatre committed to modern drama; its legal status was transformed 
into a Ges. m. b. H. (a business form similar to a 
private limited company) in 1948, and the Austrian Federation of Trade 
Unions (as legal successor of Deutsche Arbeitsfront) founded the 
Volkstheater community of sponsors. Director P. Barnay (1948-1952) was 
succeeded by director L.  Epp (1952-1968). Under his management the V. 
experienced a new revival of many contemporary plays; dramas by A. 
Camus, J. Genet, J. P. Sartre, F. Duerrenmatt, M. Frisch, R. 
Hochhuth saw their première there and in 1963 the boycott of 
the works of Brecht in Austria was ended by the Volkstheater with the 
performance of "Mother Courage and Her Children". Together 
with the Chambers of Labour he founded the initiative 
"Volkstheater in den Aussenbezirken" (Volkstheater in 
Vienna´s outlying districts) in 1954. Director G.  Manker 
(1969-1979) encouraged creative productions of Nestroy's plays and 
premièred works of young Austrian authors (such as W.  Bauer, 
P.  Turrini). Director P.  Blaha (1979-1987) included political plays, 
popular plays (folk plays) and farces by playwrights from  Nestroy to 
H. R.  Unger in his repertory. The entire theatre was renovated 
in 1980/81, the auditorium and the stage were modernised, the 
façade renewed and the cupola, which had been destroyed in 1945 
was reconstructed. The "Volkstheater-Studio" staged 
performances from 1981-1987, a small stage run by the Volkstheater 
troupe specifically for the purpose of performing contemporary drama. 
A school for acting was established in 1984 (closed in 1996). P. Blaha 
initiated a programme called "Volkstheater-extra" for events 
going beyond usual theatre performances. Today's director E.  Werner 
(since 1988) pursues the original objective of the Volkstheater: to 
perform traditional and modern art, Austrian literature and 
international novelties to fulfil its cultural mission and to provide 
sophisticated entertainment. The cycles "Volkstheater Frontal" 
mainly feature premières and first performances (works by E.  
Jelinek, G.  Jonke and I.  Aichinger). "Am Plafond" and the 
"Spielbar" are small experimental stages. The series 
"V. spezial" featuring discussions on political and cultural 
topics, readings of renowned authors etc. complete the wide range of 
the repertoire. In 2000 ownership of the V. will pass on to a private 
foundation.

!Literature
R. Steinhauser, Das Deutsche Volkstheater in Wien 
1889-1899, 1899; H.-C. Hoffmann, Die Theaterbauten von Fellner und 
Helmer, 1966; O. M. Fontana, Volkstheater Wien (Deutsches 
Volkstheater). Weg und Entwicklung (1889-1964), 1964; Das neue 
Volkstheater. Festschrift, 1981; E. Schreiner (ed.), 100 Jahre 
Volkstheater, 1989.


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