Reichenau Festival extends Maria Happel’s contract through 2030

The Reichenau Festival in Neunkirchen district has renewed artistic director Maria Happel’s contract through 2030, ORF reported on Monday. The actor and director has led the festival since 2022.

The festival said Happel had sharpened its artistic profile and opened its programme to new material, formats and audiences. Happel said she was looking forward to the coming years in Reichenau with her team. Lower Austrian governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner welcomed the extension, citing Happel’s contribution to the festival’s success and its importance to regional economic activity.

The festival’s centenary season, marking 100 years of the Reichenau Theatre, was among the most successful in its history, according to the organisers. The next festival is scheduled to run from June 30 to August 1, 2027. Johann Nestroy’s play The Talisman has been announced as the opening production at the Reichenau Theatre, and the Südbahnhotel will remain a venue. The full programme is due to be announced in January.