Coronavirus update: Due to restrictions limiting the size of events in Germany, it is possible this event will be cancelled or postponed. Please check with the official organiser (via link at the end).
Challenge your humour and critical thinking skills at the Kabarett Festival in Stuttgart this month. The event celebrates its 27th anniversary this year, and in a time where fake news is all around us, this will be a great opportunity to question one's beliefs, share ideas, and move forward in this complicated and information-driven world.
If you were thinking about the more American style of “cabaret,” where the focus is mostly on drinks, music and dancing, you would be very wrong. Kabarett is more of a satirical revue, a different form of cabaret developed by the French, and mostly centred on political events, humour and satire.
Opening the event will be one of the most famous actors and a legend in political Kabarett, Henning Venske. At age 80, he hasn’t appeared on stage all too often in the past few years, but at this special event he will perform under the title “We are the Good Guys”, discussing his views on insurance, taxation, democrats and more, pushing the boundaries of political satire once and for all.
The event will also be a platform for up and coming Kabarett artists, as eight nominees will show off their skills on both stage and screen, hoping to win the prestigious award for this year’s best Kabarett artist.
Satire for everyone, not just for “old white men”
An important goal of this year’s event is to include more people from various ages, backgrounds and interests, not simply “old white men” who are known to be the main audience for such performances.
Political satirists Peer Steinbrück and Florian Schroeder will keep the conversations modern and trendy, with discussions about the current political climate in Germany, the US, and even China.
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To mix things up a bit more, a performance will take place during a regular Sunday service at the Leonhard Church under the helm of Stefan Waghubinger. Famous for mixing his theology background with his satires, the award-winning author and Kabarett artist will share his opinions on the “good guys” and what to believe in this age of uncertainty.
Attending the Stuttgart Kabarett Festival
Most of the events will be held at public theatres, which are close to public transportation, including bus lines and U bahns. For more information on the events and tickets, visit the official website of Kabarett operator Renitenztheater.