The Luxembourg Stage Awards are facing mounting criticism ahead of their September ceremony, with disputes over jury choices and a lack of recognition for playwrights.
In the run-up to the Luxembourg Stage Awards, set to be handed out on 25 September, controversy continues to surround the event.
The awards had a slow start, with the jury only announced in June, just three months before the ceremony. Its composition has already raised questions: jury member Jérôme Konen, director of the Mamer Kinneksbond, faces criticism as several nominated productions were produced or co-produced by his venue.
Earlier this month, Marc Baum stepped down from the jury, citing time constraints.
The shortlist, revealed on 7 August, features six categories with five nominations each, ranging from children's theatre to best production, emerging talent, backstage work, and on-stage performance. But the final category – covering text, concept, choreography, and direction – has drawn particular criticism.
The writers’ association A:LL says the awards continue to overlook playwrights. While author Antoine Pohu is nominated as an emerging talent, he is the only playwright recognised. The association argues that dramatic writing is a cornerstone of theatre yet remains sidelined, folded into what it describes as a "catch-all" category dominated this year by choreography.
