New European Plays 2012

New European Plays is one of the most important international festivals of contemporary theatre. Held every two years, it serves as a central forum for exchange for more than 500 theatre producers throughout Europe. It has made a lasting mark on Germany’s theatre scene and played an important role in expanding its thematic diversity and promoting internationalization. Its programme generally reflects on the pressing current issues facing Europe: the expectations towards individual countries and their respective status in the European Union, various interpretations of European identity and Europe’s responsibility for Africa. It features the enormous spectrum of dramatic writing, as well as the aesthetic and thematic diversity of contemporary European theatre.
Traditionally, the festival invites established writers to work together as mentors with younger playwrights. Forty-one renowned playwrights from Europe, such as Mark Ravenhill (GB), Biljana Srbljanovic (SR) and Petros Markaris (GR), recommended the best plays produced in their countries. 31 productions were invited to Wiesbaden to perform in their original language. The plays were then translated into German for the festival and published as an anthology.
The intensive exchange was fostered further by discussions on theatre issues and cultural policy in specific countries, as well as workshops for young European playwrights, translators, students and cultural journalists. The extensive programme was accompanied by concerts and readings.


Artistic director: Manfred Beilharz, Tankred Dorst, Ursula Ehler, Maya Schöffel; Patrons: Paul Pouveur (B), Hristo Boytchev (BG), Neda Neschdana (VA), Laura Ruohonen (FIN), Mark Ravenhill (GB), Edoardo Erba (IT), Marius Ivaškevičius (LT), Judith Herzberg (NL), Mikhail Durnenkow (RUS), Biljana Srbljanović (SCG), Özen Yula (TR), Petros Markaris (GR) and others

Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden and Staatstheater Mainz, 14 - 24 Jun. 2012