The Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin is currently running "in the austerity program". Bernd Schmidt, the director of the famous theater stage, is facing a major challenge. "With every month that we don't play, we lose around two million euros in revenue," he explains in an interview with the news agency spot on news.
Giving up is out of the question. "Our theater has overcome many crises. I therefore have great hope and am convinced that we will also be able to master this situation." However, smaller institutions in particular are particularly at risk due to a lack of liquidity. Especially in these times, it is therefore important that the cultural landscape hold together.
How is the situation at Friedrichstadt-Palast at the moment?
Bernd Schmidt: Since last Wednesday, 300 of our 467 employees – including mini jobs – have been on short-time work. Unfortunately, as a theater that does not play, we cannot avoid this measure. These are tough cuts for those affected, but we definitely want to avoid layoffs. For example, 90 percent of the ballet and show band are on short-time work, while our technical colleagues work according to special duty rosters. If you can, you should work at home and we have divided the existing departments into A and B teams that do not meet, if possible, and only with the necessary distance. The palace is currently running in the austerity program.
What difficulties arise from the current situation?
Schmidt: With every month we don't play, we lose around two million euros in revenue. In March and April, it was almost four million euros. We generate 85 percent of our budget ourselves. Of course, this presents us with other challenges than state theaters, for example, which cover 80 to 85 percent of their costs through public grants. Every month without play is therefore a heavy blow to our stomach.
The last performance of your "VIVID Grand Show" was on March 10th. What does the game stop mean for the artists?
Schmidt: Without a doubt, it was an emergency stop for everyone. The applause is, so to speak, the bread of the artist, so of course the loss of performance is not easy for our show participants. The last performance before the game was decided was very emotional and now everyone is waiting for it to continue.
Are there any rehearsals at all?
Schmidt: Necessity makes you inventive. The dancers are currently training in the living rooms at home and the entire ensemble including the ballet line is connected to laptops or telephones. Six weeks of home training is not a problem, after that it becomes problematic. For such a complex grand show with over 100 participants, the artists must be able to rehearse together. Here as a house we also have a responsibility. If we resume, we will definitely need another two weeks of rehearsals to refresh the "VIVID Grand Show". But we also take this time.
Several theaters now offer live streaming or broadcasting. What do you make of it?
Schmidt: Dance and acrobatics are a main part of our shows and always have to do with body contact. It's hard to dance a couple dance alone. However, we are currently in talks and see how we can still reach people in this crazy time and at the same time comply with all distance and safety rules.
Stay in touch with other theater directors. Are you trying to find solutions together?
Schmidt: Especially in these times it is important that the cultural landscape holds together, we are all in the same boat. An exchange among each other helps us all.
Can the theater recover from the crisis?
Schmidt: Our theater has overcome many crises. Our eventful history began with Max Reinhardt, who opened the Großer Schauspielhaus in 1919. In 2019 we celebrated our 100th anniversary on the stage and thus lived through four social systems from the imperial period, including as the People's Theater during the Nazi era. The previous building had to be demolished in 1981 because the building had warped statically. The new palace, in turn, has been the last magnificent building of the GDR on Friedrichstrasse since 1984. In 2008 we were on the verge of bankruptcy and 2019 has just been the most successful year in our history. I therefore have great hope and am convinced that we will also master this situation. But we can't do it alone.
Will many theaters be forced to close forever?
Schmidt: Of course I hope for our cultural life that all institutions will survive this difficult time. Unfortunately, smaller institutions in particular are particularly at risk due to a lack of liquidity. It is very sad to watch and I hope that the help will get there in time.
How does the state support the many cultural institutions, how does it support you?
Schmidt: We are 100 percent owned by the State of Berlin. I am in close contact with the Senator for Culture and Europe Dr. Klaus Lederer and his Secretary of State for Culture Dr. Torsten Woehlert. We are aware of our national importance, the palace is the most visited stage in Berlin with almost 550,000 guests and I trust them that they will try everything to help us. In general, I would also like to say that they do an impressive job in a situation for which nobody was really prepared. One thing is clear to everyone: the palace cannot cope with this natural disaster without the help of politics.
How much damage does the virus cause culturally?
Schmidt: I find it difficult to make such a far-reaching statement at this point. There are too many variables: how long will current policies last, how quickly will a vaccine be found and how severe will the inevitable recession become? However, I have the feeling that we all realize how much we lack culture, now that it is no longer available as a matter of course. When we go back to galleries, museums and theaters, we will all have goosebumps and be happy about these little miracles.
All performances in the Friedrichstadt-Palast are canceled until April 19th. Do you think you can open the theater as usual afterwards?
Schmidt: Nobody can predict the development, not even I. But I can't imagine that we'll be playing again from April 20th.
How do you spend your days? What is your personal isolation?
Schmidt: I read and see news, digest it, get an idea and look ahead with my team. One thing is certain: as bad as it is, but the virus will not wipe out humanity or culture. In this respect, I am not really isolated: I keep in touch and email, skype, zoom and call for ten to twelve hours every day. It's also about a lot for us.