Performing Utopia: Contemporary Eastern European Theatres As Agents of Collective Action
However, the current Eastern European context differs significantly. The rise of populism and distrust toward institutions suggests that postmodern fragmentation can have unintended consequences. Political figures like Viktor Orbán in Hungary, Robert Fico in Slovakia, and the Freedom Party of Austria exemplify this trend, as people seek alternatives to established structures, strengthening populist movements that exploit emotional and identity-driven impulses.
Drawing on David Graeber's Possibilities: Essays on Hierarchy, Rebellion, and Desire (2007), I explore the possibilities and limitations of contemporary theatre as a space of imagination, capable of fostering collectives and revealing norms. My research focuses on select theatres in the region that aim to create social movements and have utopian potential—such as the Czech HaDivadlo with its Degrowth Season, the Hungarian Krétakör Foundation, and other artistic groups. I analyse their tactics and strategies in confronting current challenges, with special attention to theatre's performative impact—its ability not only to reflect social issues but also to actively influence them and contribute to social change.
The aim is to understand how contemporary theatre can function as a tool of collective action when the public sphere is affected by rising populism and distrust. Drawing on Judith Butler's performative theory and Jeffrey Alexander's cultural pragmatics, I discuss effective tactics in this context, the obstacles theatres face, and how they might overcome limitations imposed by the current cultural and political climate.