‘Theatre has to become political again…’. Interview by Alexandra Kolb

In 2008 Alexandra Kolb interviewed the Marxist Austrian choreographer Johann Kresnik, who in this discussion details his involvement in the left-wing activist circles of 1960s West Germany, and explains how this background helped shape his development as a creative artist. He comments on a range of political issues addressed in his choreographies, from American global dominance to the former communist regime in East Germany; and discusses the personalities his works have depicted, such as the anarchist Red Army Faction campaigner Ulrike Meinhof and the conservative German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. Touching on the controversy aroused by some of his more incendiary pieces, Kresnik’s remarks articulate his view that dance – and art in general – is duty-bound to engage with real-world issues and address matters of social relevance, rather than retreating into a formalism which over-emphasises surface appearance and technique. He concludes with an outlook on prospects for the European dance scene, speculating on possible themes for future choreographic treatment.