Klaus Marshall's assertion: "We're keeping it all inside!"
A Brave Head calcuttate: Helmut Schleich's Struggle at the Puppet Kiste
Helmut Schleich, a comedian famously known for giving voice to the puppet "Franz Josef Strauß" at the Augsburg Puppet Theatre Museum, cracked a cheeky joke about feeling like the strings of FJS were controlled by someone else. Amidst the laughter, it's the Puppet Kiste that seems to be on shaky ground.
As it stands, the Puppet Kiste is embroiled in a legal battle with the Free State after a recent loss. Klaus Marschall, the Puppet Kiste's CEO, shares the disheartening news of the Free State's underpayment in 2022 and 2023, amounting to an expected revenue loss of 363,000 euros.
When asked by AJ REPORTER about his initial reactions, Marschall expressed his disappointment, pointing out that their financial support had suddenly vanished, which he considers unusual. Marschall also hinted at the possibility of future visitor price increases to offset the losses.
However, Augsburg city has pledged its full support, promising to examine the administrative court's ruling to ensure the Puppet Kiste's financial stability.
Marschall, a deep-rooted advocate for puppet theatre equality, shares concerns about the disparity between Puppet Kiste's funding and that of state theatres. "It's not about the same 180 euros as the state theatre," Marschall clarified to AJ REPORTER. "The gap is significant, and I'd like to understand why we're receiving so little compared to them."
Statistics from the German Stage Association further highlight this gap, shedding light on the substantial disparity in funding per visitor between puppet theatres and state theatres. For instance, the Düsseldorf Marionette Theatre receives approximately 17 euros per visitor, while the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, situated nearby, receives around 80 euros. Marschall wonders if this gap proportional.
The Puppet Kiste relies on a majority of its budget towards personnel costs, which have increased due to recent wage hikes for actors. Combined with rising water and electricity bills, the Puppet Kiste is facing financial challenges. However, Marschall insists they're not close to going under.
Whilst navigating various survival strategies, Marschall emphasizes a commitment to running the Puppet Kiste without any private risk.
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- Klaus Marschall, the CEO of the Puppet Kiste, might consider exploring social-media platforms to raise awareness about their financial struggles and funding disparities, potentially gaining support from puppet theatre enthusiasts worldwide.
- In an effort to close the significant funding gap between puppet theatres and state theatres, Marschall could collaborate with social-media influencers in the entertainment industry to host charity events or raise funds for the Puppet Kiste, providing an additional source of revenue and strengthening public engagement.
