Does the audience have to be warned? Debate about trigger warnings at Berliner Theatertreffen – Diepresse.com
With Florentina Holzinger’s « Sancta » and the VR installation « End of Life », both Austria contributions are also provided with warnings. Head of Hertlein-Hull pleads for information, but without restricting theater.
Many theater goers want so -called trigger warnings as information on certain pieces. This is the assessment of the head of the Berlin Theater Meeting, Nora Hertlein-Hull. There is now a certain expectation of the audience that something like this is offered, she told the German Press Agency. At this year’s edition from 2nd to May 18th, the theater meeting places such information in six out of ten productions on his website.
This also includes the two Austrian contributions, which were invited to the ten remarkable productions from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. On the one hand, this is the bloody opera performance « Sancta » by star choreographer Florentina Holzingera co-production of the Viennese festival weeks, and on the other hand the virtual reality installation « End of Life », which the collective has therefore released in Brut Vienna.
Warnings of sensitive content
The Berlin Theatertreffen points out the program when sensitive content can be seen or heard on stage. These include racist language, sex and violent representations. Warnings are also made of noise or strong lighting effects.
Such warnings always cause criticism. « There are people who decide against these tales because they find that art must be free to overwhelm, » said Hertlein-Hull. But she sees no contradiction in it. « As long as you do not restrict art, the theater in advance, why shouldn’t you inform? » Says the boss of the theater meeting from Austria. (APA/dpa)
