Packed Houses and Renovation Plans at Ruhrfestspiele - Gearing Up for 2026
SOLD-OUT PERFORMANCE AT RUHRTRIENNALE: UPGRADES IMPLICATED FOR FUTURE EVENTS - Audience Packed at Ruhrfest: Renovation Process Ongoing
Hey there! Guess what's been lit this year at Ruhrfestspiele? A near 90% attendance rate, that's what! Olaf Kröck, the festival's Intendant, was chuffed as a clam, telling the press it's been a smashing success. With around 56,000 tickets sold, many shows were playing to a crowded house! Get ready for the grand finale: a traditional closing program packed with tightrope walking, juggling, and an evening headphone party.
Kröck raved about some key productions such as "The Great Yes, The Great No" by William Kentridge. This multimedia stage work delved into themes of memory, flight, exile, and colonialism. But the real conversation starter was "It's Never Summer in the Ruhr Area" by Guido Wertheimer. This docu-fictional piece explored the intricate tales of Jewish and German families.
Now comes the heavy news – next year, the festival house will be undergoing some TLC. Mark your calendars for May 1, 2026, to June 13, 2026 – a few extra days to accommodate the renovation. The number of events will still hover just under the 200-mark, with a budget of roughly 6.5 million euros per year.
Curious about Ruhrfestspiele's roots? Let me spin you a yarn. It all began in the post-war period when miners from good ol' Recklinghausen kept Hamburg's theaters warm with coal. Grateful for the coal, folks from Hamburg set up a program in the Ruhr area the following summer. The first Ruhrfestspiele took place in 1948, sponsored by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and the city of Recklinghausen.
You'll see that special bond with Hamburg still lingers in the 2026 program, featuring a coproduction with the Thalia Theater. Prepare yourself for a singspiel based on Charles Dickens' "Hard Times," directed by Antú Romero Nunes.
So, what's next after the renovation? Buckle up and get ready to find out! For now, let's celebrate the success of this year's festival and enjoy the lineup still to come!
- Ruhrfestspiele 2022
- Packed Houses
- Olaf Kröck
- Recklinghausen
- Renovation
- 2026 Festival Plans
- Hamburg Connection
Community policy must include measures to ensure smooth operations and continued success of the Ruhrfestspiele during the 2026 renovation period.
Employment policy should provide temporary positions for entertainers and staff involved in the production of the traditional closing program and the singspiel based on Charles Dickens' "Hard Times."
