"What You Will" for Swifties: Shake it like Shakespeare
The Leipzig Schauspielhaus presents a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's "What You Will," directed by Pia Richter, featuring music by Taylor Swift in a TikTok-inspired verbal exchange.
The Leipzig Schauspielhaus has cleverly reimagined Shakespeare's classic, "What You Will," under the direction of Pia Richter, merging Shakespearean dialogue with music by Taylor Swift, aimed at engaging a younger audience in a familiar and modern context. This innovative approach not only enhances the original text but also resonates with the contemporary cultural moment, highlighting the potential of classical theatre to adapt and thrive in today's entertainment landscape.
As Enrico Lübbe's long tenure as the artistic director comes to an end in 2027, the theatre is looking towards a unique model for his successor through a 'team directorship' involving Clara Weyde, Bastian Lomsché, and Clemens Leander. This collaborative leadership aims to bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the historic institution, promoting innovation and inclusivity within the theatre's artistic vision, while maintaining its successful trajectory post-pandemic.
The dialogue-driven, rapid-paced production is indicative of a broader trend within theatres to attract younger audiences, evidenced by Leipzig's notably youthful demographic where the audience averages under forty years old. With record attendance since the pandemic, the success of this adaptation is a promising direction for the theatre, showcasing how classic works can be revitalized to appeal to newcomers, bridging the gap between generations of theatre-goers.