Spotlight on Co-Artistic Director of London’s Voila! Theatre Festival - Katharina Reinthaller

London’s Voila! Festival kicks off on 4th November and features 350 performers across 72 shows in nine different venues, speaking 35 different languages. 

Voila! has been at The Cockpit theatre for the past 10 years, but for 2024 is relaunching as a multi-venue, panlingual theatrical extravaganza. Voila! 2024 has curated the widest range yet of cultures, stories, and aesthetics with challenge and change in the spotlight.

We spoke to Co-Artistic Director Katharina Reinthaller to find out more.

The Voila! Festival presents works in 35 languages. What kind of challenges did you face planning such a multilingual programme?… And what kind of rewards?

Planning a multilingual festival with international artists involved, we need to take into account additional practical as well as creative obstacles. This could be travel logistics or figuring out how to sub/surtitle a show – especially if it uses multiple languages or no English. Artists might not have a huge network in London or be familiar with the theatre landscape in the UK, so we always make sure we clearly outline how the festival works and are honest about expectations and risks. The rewards for us (& Voila audiences!) are that we get to connect with really exciting artists and see lots of work in different languages, often using surtitles in very creative ways, for example μεταδραματικό / postdramatic where they will be incorporated in the video design or Sub Titles Over where they become a distinct, active character.

Could you share insights on your process for selecting shows? 

Amy [Tasker, fellow co-director] and myself select the Voila! shows for The Cockpit, and each other venue chooses its own programme. We look at a variety of points: What is the connection to the panlingual/international ethos of the festival? What stage is the work at? Does it fit the space? Who is the artist? Above all, we are looking for work that wouldn’t otherwise be found on British stages, that is that little bit different, edgy, weird. For example, You Can Take Me Home Toni, a theatre cabaret experience with outrageous costumes & 80’s nostalgia. This year with our new multi venue set up, it has been so great to see other venues programme Voila! shows, making it possible to platform even more exciting work!

Is there a particular project or artist’s work that stands out as emblematic of this year’s festival?

I have snuck in a couple of shows in my above questions already but there are more! Wall of Babel is a true Voila! show in the sense that it is a multilingual piece about identity, language and translation, has an international team and plays with different performance techniques. There is also Elisabeth Gunawan / Saksi Bisou with their show Stampin’ in the Graveyard – Elisabeth is an extraordinary artist returning to Voila for the second time this year. Her work pushes boundaries in both concept and content and is definitely a true Voila! fit.

What advice would you give to young, aspiring theatre creators who want to make waves in today’s arts scene?

I always find this question very difficult to answer, as it is getting more and more impossible to survive as a freelance artist, especially in theatre. The only advice I would give is not to compare yourself to others, stay curious and think outside the box. Listen to and explore other artists, see as much theatre as you can abroad, find your process and people you want on that journey with you. The career of an artist is not linear, and the lows can hit hard – remind yourself of why you make the work you make and write down the high flying moments! Keep going.

How do you think theatre festivals like Voila! can reshape stereotypes or perceptions around what theatre should be? 

I feel after Brexit, the UK has become even more culturally insular. Festivals like Voila! can introduce British audiences to theatre landscapes and artists of different countries, opening up a conversation and exploring together the many forms that theatre can take. It is about inspiring a curiosity in audiences, a sense of adventure, trying something new and embracing spontaneity.

We have so many shows this year that will definitely challenge expectations around theatre – Murmur, a non-verbal show about/with mycelium communication. Instructions on How to Be Alone, an interdisciplinary performance within an installation, exploring mental health. Everybody has to be Somewhere, a live intermedia performance around time travelling.

What’s the funniest or most unexpected thing that’s happened behind the scenes while planning this year’s festival?

Amy’s cats joining & ending some of our zoom meetings has brought some fun chaos vibes to our work days! 

Voila! Theatre Festival runs from 4th – 24th November at nine different venues across London. For more information visit: https://www.voilafestival.co.uk/