Theater im Bahnhof
Spiel mir das Lied von Knittelfeld oder die Pubertät der FPÖ (Once upon a Time in Knittelfeld, or The Freedom Party’s Puberty, 2024)
Performance
Photo: Stadtgemeinde Knittelfeld
In 1999, the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) became the first ultraright party to join a ruling coalition in postwar Europe, but by 2002, this coalition collapsed, sped by a split in the party leadership at a congress in the small town of Knittelfeld. Instigated by former chairman Jörg Haider, this so-called putsch led to years of internal feuding. By now, the FPÖ has recuperated and reaches over 25 percent support in opinion polls. Like other right-wing parties today, they seem immune to scandal and inner turmoil.
Theater im Bahnhof goes to Knittelfeld to search for the traces of the infamous putsch. Conducting interviews with residents, participants, and experts, they have developed a site-specific performance that literally takes a backstage look at big politics. Its protagonists are two technicians who work in the hall where the party conference took place. One of them is an older and obviously “autochthonous Austrian,” while the other is very young and has a migrant background. As they rearrange the hall, the events of 2002 keep reappearing and lead them to their very special showdown.
Theater im Bahnhof (founded 1989, Graz) is a contemporary people’s theater. Its focus is on researching and writing its own productions for both the stage and public space, questioning Austrian identity between popular culture and tradition. The group is well known for their local engagement in Graz for over thirty years as well as their international performances at festivals such as Theater der Welt, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Brussels, and Impulse Theater Festival, Düsseldorf/Cologne/Mülheim.
Commissioned by steirischer herbst ’24
Produced by Theater im Bahnhof in coproduction with steirischer herbst ’24 and Communication24–Knittelfeld
Project sponsor: Gaulhofer
6.10., 19:00
In German
Kultur- und Kongresshaus Knittelfeld
Gaaler Straße 4
8720 Knittelfeld ♿
18/14 euros
Free shuttle bus to Knittelfeld
Departure: 16:00 (return: 20:30)
Meeting place: Graz main station (bus terminal)
Optional: 17:00, Knittelfeld city tour
Meeting place: Kultur- und Kongresshaus Knittelfeld
Registration: tickets [at] steirischerherbst.at
Director: Ed. Hauswirth
Actors: Rupert Lehofer, Zaid Asalame
Scenography: Helene Thümmel
Costume: Heike Barnard
Historical consultant: Karl Stocker
Texts: Christa Zöchling
Stage management: Mario Moser, TIB
Commissioned by steirischer herbst ’24
Produced by Theater im Bahnhof in coproduction with steirischer herbst ’24 and Communication24–Knittelfeld
Project sponsor: Gaulhofer