Plays about everything from gang shootings to war horrors and murder-accused hedgehogs are being shown at Dramaten this spring. The audience flocked in during 2024 and the theater has found themes that reach a new audience. Yet, CEO Kitte Wagner is worried about the future.
In the short term, we're doing well. But there is a tipping point, even though we're currently artistically extremely strong, we're actually in the middle of a rather drastic erosion.
In 2023, the theater received reduced grants from the government and all departments have since had to cut costs by 12.5 percent. They have laid off staff and moved performances.
Frozen grants, reduced grants, inflation, and rising rent mean that we've lost 60 million kronor since 2018. It's not something you can catch up with, says Kitte Wagner.
Three years
At the same time, Dramaten is trying to reach a new, younger audience, and is now launching a card for all under 26 years old: for 365 kronor, they can attend unlimited theater performances for a year. Then it's essential to have interesting plays for everyone, emphasizes Mattias Andersson. But without increased grants, the economic situation is, according to him, "system-threatening".
What I'm most worried about is that artistic risk-taking disappears. That one doesn't dare to take chances on new creators or stories that aren't entirely comfortable or given.
In a theater with artistic ambitions, one must also be able to fail, emphasizes he.
It's not just about making audience successes.
"Devastating"
Mattias Andersson describes the situation for the entire Swedish theater as "devastating", and the free groups' situation as a nightmare. It also affects Dramaten.
We're completely dependent on a vibrant free group life.
