THEATRE

Danish theatre embraces a number of dramatic art forms such as plays, opera and dance, while music is treated as a separate field.

Large sections of Danish theatrical life are supported by the public purse. Theatre subsidies are two-pronged: support is granted, on the one hand, directly to theatres and theatre companies and, on the other,
to theatregoers in the form of discount schemes and subsidies to, for instance, schools for the purchase of children’s drama/
shows. Subsidies to theatregoers are designed to boost theatre audiences.

Furthermore, the State and county councils grant subsidies to lower the price of theatre tickets. Subsidies are granted
for tickets bought as part of or associated with subscriptions and for tickets bought by children and young people under the age of 25.

As a general rule, public expenditure on theatre subsidy schemes is parcelled out among the State, county councils and local authorities. Most often, appropriations are subject to what is termed the 50/50 principle, which means that, if the State grants a 50% subsidy, the county or local council must put up the other half. The obvious exception to this rule, of course, is Denmark’s national theatre, the Royal Theatre, which is completely State-financed.

The framework for State aid to theatre is set out in the Theatres Act, the purpose of which is to establish the basis for continuous development of Danish dramatic art and culture. The Act is designed to enhance the choice of theatre available to audiences, emphasising quality, diversity and innovation. Ensuring ample geographic distribution and guaranteeing the needs of diverse audience groups also come within the ambit of the Act.

The first Theatres Act dates from 1963 and has subsequently been amended on more than ten occasions.

INSTITUTIONS
The Royal Theatre is Denmark’s national theatre. As a State institution, the Royal Theatre produces plays, opera and ballet of artistic excellence. The theatre runs its own schools of ballet and opera. The Royal Danish Orchestra, the theatre’s house orchestra, accompanies performances and stages symphony and chamber concerts.

Regional theatres. Aalborg Theatre, Århus Theatre and Odense Theatre are designated regional theatres. They help satisfy theatre needs in the provinces by producing comprehensive repertoires.

The Theatre Cooperative of Greater Copenhagen is a self-regulating body established by the Copenhagen and Frederiksberg city councils and the Copenhagen, Frederiksberg and Roskilde county councils. The association grants production subsidies to theatres whose objective is to produce comprehensive and high quality repertoires.

The Danish National Opera (Den Jyske Opera) and the Danish Theatre (Det Danske Teater) are touring companies that help cater to the needs of theatre and musical drama, nationwide. It is incumbent on both to present comprehensive and high quality repertoires. Moreover, the Danish National Opera mounts non-touring productions in Århus.

The Danish Theatre Council is an “arm’s length” body of experts drawn from the field of theatre and appointed jointly by the Minister for Culture and the Theatre Council Liaison Committee. The Danish Theatre Council advises the Ministry and other public bodies on theatre-related issues and grants subsidies to various theatrical projects, stressing the promotion and development of new forms of theatre.

Beginning in the year 2003, the Theatre Council will become part of the new structure for support to the arts.

OTHER THEATRES
In addition to the theatres mentioned above, there are a number of smaller State-supported theatres scattered throughout Denmark. Many of them are permanent or touring children’s theatres. Children’s theare is an important part of Danish theatre and approximately 35% of all theatre productions are suitable for children under the age of 14. Many of them are performed at schools or similar institutions.

NEW PLAYHOUSE ON THE COPENHAGEN WATERFRONT
The new playhouse for the Danish Royal Theatre and other Danish theatres on the Copenhagen waterfront will be designed by the Danish architects Boje Lundgaard and Lene Tranberg, who have won the design competition for the job.
In June 2001, the Ministry of Culture announced an open international competition to design the new playhouse for the Danish Royal Theatre on the Copenhagen waterfront. 333 proposals came in from architects all over the world – of which 289 were considered.
Construction of the new playhouse is planned to commence in the summer of 2004 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2007. The playhouse will house two stages – a large one with 750 seats and a smaller one with 250 seats – together with a restaurant, café and a large public square in front of the building with a view of the rest of the harbour area. A model of the new building may be seen on the Ministry of Culture’s webpage.

FINANCE
Total public spending on theatre in 2002 is budgeted at DKK 924.3 million, of which the State’s share is 647.9 million. In the 2000-2001 season, there were 122 State-supported theatres in Denmark. They mounted 474 productions for a total of 2,378,000 spectators.

ADDRESSES

The Royal Theatre
(Det Kongelige Teater og Kapel)
Tordenskjoldsgade 8
P.O. Box 2185
DK-1017 Copenhagen K
Tel. +45 33 69 69 33
www.kgl-teater.dk

The Theatre Cooperative of Greater Copenhagen
(Det Storkøbenhavnske Teaterfællesskab)
Gammel Køge Landevej 3
2500 Valby
Tel. +45 38 10 35 17

The Danish Theatre Council
(Teaterrådet)
Kongens Nytorv 3-5
DK-1050 Copenhagen K
Tel. +45 33 74 45 00
www.teaterraadet.dk

Regional Theatres: (Landsdelsscenerne)

Aalborg Theatre
Jernbanegade 9
9000 Aalborg
Tel. +45 98 12 27 44
www.aalborg-teater.dk

Aarhus Theatre
Skolegade 9
8000 Århus C
Tel. +45 89 33 23 00
www.aarhusteater.dk

Odense Theatre
Jernbanegade 21
5000 Odense C
Tel. +45 66 13 21 09
www.odenseteater.dk