Golden Book V: Why Theatre? | NTGent

Golden Book V: Why Theatre?

Whytheatre Boek
For two years now, the Belgian theatre NTGent and the Berlin based Verbrecher Verlag have been publishing the series 'The Golden Books': books on the theory and practice of contemporary performance art, on individual plays and general social questions. For the 5th volume, after months of cultural lockdown, when live arts were in a state of emergency and the whole institution rethought its priorities, NTGent asked 100 of the most influential artists and intellectuals in the world the question: 'Why theatre?'

Why is this art form so unique, so beautiful, so indispensable? From classical theatre to performance art and dance, from activism to political theatre and the performativity of everyday life, authors of all continents and generations delivered short essays, memories, manifestos, letters. Moments of aesthetic epiphany meet strong emotion, critical insights into the problems of representation and populism compete with utopian texts about the theatre of the future: more than 100 voices about the state of performing arts 2020. An instant encyclopedia of theatre for this and for any time, with contributions by andcompany&Co, Tania Bruguera, Nora Chipaumire, Chto Delat, Extinction Rebellion, Susanne Kennedy, Angélica Liddell, Édouard Louis, Rabih Mroué, Toshiki Okada, Alain Platel, René Pollesch, Tiago Rodrigues, Kirill Serebrennikov, Miet Warlop and many, many more

Practical information: Why Theatre? Golden Book V Edited by NTGent (Kaatje De Geest, Carmen Hornbostel & Milo Rau) With an introduction by Milo Rau Ca. 320 pages, ca. 16 € To be published 1 October 2020 ISBN 978-3-95732-450-4

Only humans can fantasise With closed eyes, you can see whomever you’d like There's all that future, still Until it holds from the inside Beyond madness, tenderness awaits