He Smeared Dog Feces on a Critic. Now, He’s Back in the Spotlight.
The New York Times••entertainment
Key Points:
- In 2023, German choreographer Marco Goecke smeared feces from his dog on a dance critic's face after she criticized his work, leading to a police investigation, a €5,000 fine, and his dismissal as ballet director at Hanover State Opera.
- Goecke has since returned to the dance world as the artistic director of Ballet Basel in Switzerland, where critics are once again reviewing his productions.
- His recent staging of "The Nutcracker," which premiered in February 2024, has received generally positive reviews focusing on his choreography rather than his past controversy.
- Critics described the production as a stark, persuasive reworking with precise dancing, though it may not appeal to traditionalists.
