Royal Theatre taps new director
Audiences at the Royal Theatre are invited to walk the tightrope between tradition and renewal with the theatre's new director, Emmet Feigenberg
The Royal Theatre's selection committee apparently needed only one interview with Emmet Feigenberg to be convinced that he deserved the part as director of the country's most prestigious theatre.
For the 52-year-old Feigenberg, who comes from a family of prominent theater personalities, the leading role represents the pinnacle of a long career. As a young man, he apprenticed under legendary director Sam Besekow before traveling on to the National Theatre in London for additional experience.
His directing debut came in 1976 at Café Teatret. Since then, he's worked the boards in practically all of the country's theatres, large and small. As a young director, Feigenberg showed an enthusiasm and willingness to bring life to daring, new productions as well as classics such as Shakespeare, Ibsen and Brecht.
While he initially will be hired as consultant, starting in July 2008, he will be responsible for administering the theatre's budget of DKK 75.3 million (EUR 10.1 million) and its nearly 75 cast and crew members.
Feigenberg's ability to stage productions that appeal to the theatre's traditional fan base, while also extending the boundaries of drama will be tested when the Royal Theatre moves into its new facilities next February.