How political values influence the functioning of theatre?
The example of Tartu in Estonia in a comparative European perspective
Abstract
The paper introduces the results of an empirical research studing the functioning of theatre (the production, distribution and reception domain and their relationships) in the city of Tartu. All public theatrical events during one year were counted and categorized into types and genres. In addition, quantitative and qualitative audience and reception research was carried out. The methodology was developed by an international research group STEP (Project on European Theatre Systems) and comparative aspects of the study are also presented. Even though theatre systems have cultural roots and clearly are the outcomes of particular cultural, political and social history, it is also the priorities in theatre politics and the structure of the theatre system that have a direct influence on the functioning of theatre.
References
Bennett, Susan. 1997. Theatre Audiences: A theory or production and reception. London – New York: Routledge.
Cremona, Vicky Ann, Peter Eversmann, Hans Van Maanen, Willmar Sauter, John Tulloch eds. 2004. Theatrical Events: Borders, Dynamics, Frames. IFTR/FIRT Theatrical Event Working Group. Amsterdam – New York: Rodopi. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004502888
Edelman, Joshua and Maja Šorli. 2015. “Measuring the value of theatre for the Tyneside audiences”. Cultural Trends 24(3): 232–244. Online access: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09548963.2015.1066074 (last visited: May 13, 2024).
Edelman, Joshua, Maja Šorli, and Van Maanen, Hans. 2015. “STEP into the Provinces: The theatre systems and audience experiences of smaller European cities”. Amfiteater: Journal of Performing Arts Theory 3(1–2): 220–233.
“Eesti kultuurpoliitika põhialused aastani 2020” heakskiitimine. RT III, 14 February 2014. Eesti Vabariigi Põhiseadus. Online access: https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/633949 (last visited: June 2018).
Eversmann, Peter. 2004. “The Experience of Theatrical Event”. In Theatrical Events: Borders, Dynamics, Frames. Eds. V. A. Cremona, P. Eversmann, H. Van Maanen, W. Sauter, J. Tulloch, 139–174. Amsterdam – New York: IFTR/FIRT Theatrical Event Working Group – Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004502888_012
Lelkes, Zsofia. 2009. “Changes in Hungarian Theatre System”. In Global Changes – Local Stages: How Theatre Functions in Smaller European Countries. Eds. Hans van Maanen, Andreas Kotte, Anneli Saro, 90–124. Amsterdam – New York: Rodopi. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789042026131_008
Martin, Jaqueline and Willmar Sauter. 1995. “Understanding Theatre: Performance Analysis in Theory and Practice”. Acta Universtitatis Stocholminesis. Stockholm Theatre Studies 3. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell International.
Saro, Anneli. 2009. “Interaction of Theatre and Society in Estonia”. In Global Changes – Local Stages: How Theatre Functions in Smaller European Countries. Eds. Hans van Maanen, Andreas Kotte, Anneli Saro, 41–62. Amsterdam – New York: Rodopi. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789042026131_006
Sauter, Willmar. 2000. The Theatrical Event: Dynamics of Performance and Perception. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Sauter, Willmar. 2008. Eventness: A Concept of Theatrical Event. Revised 2nd edition. Stockholm: Stiftelsen för utgivning av teatervetenskapliga studier.
Šorli, Maja and Hedi-Liis Toome. 2019. “Is Theatre Personally and Socially Relevant? Empirical Insight into Theatrical Experience”. Nordic Theatre Studies 30(2): 115−132. Online access: https://tidsskrift.dk/nts/article/view/112955 (last visited: May 13, 2024).
Sušec Michieli, Barbara. 2009. “Between Inertia and Cultural Terrorism: Slovenian Theatre System in Times of Crisis and Change”. In Global Changes – Local Stages: How Theatre Functions in Smaller European Countries. Eds. Hans van Maanen, Andreas Kotte, Anneli Saro, 63–89. Amsterdam – New York: Rodopi. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789042026131_007
Toome, Hedi-Liis. 2013. “Teatrist Tartus, rahvusvaheliselt: Metodoloogilisi küsimusi rahvusvahelises võrdlusruuringus”. In Eesti teatriteaduse perspektiivid: Studia litteraria Estonica, Vol 13. Ed. A. Saro, 55–82. Tartu: Ülikooli Kirjastus.
Toome, Hedi-Liis. 2015. “Do you feel the same? Different dominants of aesthetical experience”. Nordic Theatre Studies 27(2): 22−36. https://doi.org/10.7146/nts.v27i2.24248
Toome, Hedi-Liis and Anneli Saro. 2015. “Theatre Productions and Distribution in Different European cities”. Amfiteater: Journal of Performing Arts Theory 3(1–2): 257– 279.
Van den Hoogen, Quirijn Lennert. 2009. “Functioning of Performing Arts in Urban Society”. In Global Changes – Local Stages: How Theatre Functions in Smaller European Countries. Eds. Hans van Maanen, Andreas Kotte, Anneli Saro, 265–299. Amsterdam – New York: Rodopi. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789042026131_015
Van den Hoogen, Quirijn Lennert. 2010. Performing Arts and the City: Dutch municipal cultural policy in the Brave New World of evidence-based policy. Dissertation University of Groningen: Groningen.
Van den Hoogen, Quirijn Lennert and Marlike Lisette Wilders. 2009. “STEP on Stage: Studying Theatre Systems in Glocal Contexts”. In Global Changes – Local Stages: How Theatre Functions in Smaller European Countries. Eds. Hans van Maanen, Andreas Kotte, Anneli Saro, 527–537. Amsterdam – New York: Rodopi.
Vanemuise arengukava 2014–2018. Online access: http://www.vanemuine.ee/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Teater-Vanemuine-arengukava-2014-2018.pdf (last visited: June 2018).
Van Maanen, Hans. 1999. “How to Describe the Functioning of Theatre”. In Theatre Worlds in Motion: Structures, Politics and Developments in the Countries of Western Europe. Eds. Hans van Maanen, Steve Wilmer, 721–758. Amsterdam–Atlanta: Rodopi. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004647121_023
Van Maanen, Hans. 2009. How to Study Art Worlds: On the Societal Functioning of Aesthetic Values. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. https://doi.org/10.5117/9789089641526
Van Maanen, Hans, Andreas Kotte, and Anneli Saro eds. 2009. Global Changes – Local Stages: How Theatre Functions in Smaller European Countries. Amsterdam – New York: Rodopi. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789042026131
Van Maanen, Hans, Antine Ziljstra, and Marlike Lisette Wilders. 2013. Hoe theatre functioneert in the stad de Groningen: Aanbood en gebruik in het seizoen 2010–2011. How theatre functions in the city of Groningen. Supply and use in the regular season. STEP research. Groningen: Rijksuniverstiteit Groningen, Faculteit der Letteren.
Van Maanen, Hans, Joshua Edelman, Magdolna Balkanyi, Mathias P. Bremgartner, Louise Ejgod Hansen, Anneli Saro, Beate Schappach, Maja Šorli, Hedi-Liis Toome, and Attila Szabó. 2015a. „Theatre Systems Compared”. Amfiteater: Journal of Performing Arts Theory 3(1–2): 234–255.
Van Maanen, Hans, Maja Šorli, Hedi-Liis Toome, Marline Lisette Wilders, Joshua Edelman, Attila Szabó, and Magdolna Balkányi. 2015b. „Spectators, who are they?” Amfiteater: Journal of Performing Arts Theory 3(1–2): 281–303.
Wilders, Marline Lisette, Hedi-Liis Toome, Maja Šorli, Attila Szabó, and Antine Zijlstra. 2015. „I was utterly mesmerised: Audience experiences of different theatre types and genres in four European cities compared”. Amfiteater: Journal of Performing Arts Theory 3(1–2): 305–343.