For a long time, art and culture suffered from the consequences of the corona pandemic. But with the gradually reduced restrictions, the ranks in the theaters are also filling up again – slowly but visibly.
Schwerin (dpa/mv) – The Mecklenburg State Theater is gradually returning to normal after difficult times due to corona. As the theater announced on Tuesday in Schwerin, around 94,000 visitors came to around 450 performances and concerts in the year that was coming to an end. The number of tickets sold has more than doubled compared to 2021. “We can look back on a successful year 2022 without financial deficits. Demand for tickets was very good in November and December. Thanks to the Christmas business, we have reached a level like before Corona,” explained Commercial Director Christian Schwandt.
However, the annual balance will be reduced by the Corona requirements still in force at the beginning of 2022. The venues in Schwerin and Parchim remained closed for two months, and after reopening, to protect against contagion, only tickets for a reduced number of seats could be sold. In addition, there were cancellations of performances because participants were ill.
Despite all the adversities, the theater has proven that it can be “a source of strength” for the people in the region and their guests, emphasized General Manager Hans-Georg Wegner. The staging of the opera “Le Grand Macabre” also attracted national attention, and the stage design designed by Katharina Karl was nominated for the coveted “Der Faust” theater prize. According to Wegner, around 2,000 guests came to the opening of the new M*Halle venue, and the family performances at Christmas were again “packed to the brim”. The director particularly emphasized the “exciting creations of Xenia Wiest’s excellent ballet company”.
Chief Financial Officer Schwandt also looked ahead to the new year, in which the greatest challenge will be the commissioning of the Kulturmühle in Parchim as the new venue for the Junges Staatstheater. The grand opening is planned for the second quarter.
According to a spokeswoman, before the outbreak of the pandemic, the state theater had a total of around 180,000 visitors a year. With discounted tickets for one theater day per month and a lucrative discount offer based on the future Deutschland-Ticket, the theater wants to bring back former guests and win new ones. Owners of the SpecialTheaterCard for 49 euros receive a 49 percent discount for the current season. For young people up to the age of 28 there is a Theater Card for just 29 euros, with a 59 percent discount.
