The time when we live, both in terms of economic reorganisation and in terms of markets, is being very detrimental to culture. The theatre is suffering first and foremost from the attack on the new economic measures of neoliberalism. Many groups are disappearing, many actors are in a difficult economic situation, the disappearance of programmes or major cuts, unpaid work ... The Basque Actors Union publicly denounced this fact on the last International Theatre Day. However, I was absent from joining the general strike called two days later. To denounce by the mouths of the actors the damage that the Labor Reform and the other economic measures have caused to the theater would be to agree with the movements of indignation and aggression that are taking place today, showing them as part of the problems of the society in which we live.

The relationship between theater and power throughout history has been conflicting. On the one hand, because it has made harsh criticism of authority, but on the other hand, in order to survive, because on many occasions it has not refused to be subject to the salary of that power criticised. In general, however, the economic situation of the actors has always been precarious. Even today, for many, that hasn't changed. In any case, at this time the dependency with the Administration has never occurred, since the Public Administration is the principal contracting party. In most cases, the viability of a theater play is usually subject to the criteria of that administration, not only to the subsidies offered to the auditors, but also to the possibility of showing a theatre play. This dependence has conditioned on more than one occasion the vision that will be produced by a theater group, which is seen between the two options, that is, to make a show that seems “fair” to the administration, so as not to be impeded for the necessary assistance; or, doing whatever one wants, to walk along the margins.

What is the theater going to save in these times? Deus ex Machina will not appear in the sky. In order to save the theatre, along with the thousands of outraged people who go out into the street, we must deal with the economic and social attacks that are taking place. Theater has to reclaim its social value. The time has come to do theater, not only to show the circumstances of life on stage, but to be where life passes. Feed the stage.