EIN POLITISCHER FANTASY-TRIP AB 9 JAHREN
A family play by Stefan Kaegi (Rimini Protokoll)
DIRECTED BY: Stefan Kaegi (Rimini Protokoll)
PFAUEN
WORLD PREMIERE: 08.11.2025
Every winter, the Schauspielhaus invites all generations to enjoy a family play together. Adults in costumes perform fairy tales on stage. But this year, children are taking the lead – with their own stories on the Pfauen stage!
Adults are always telling fairy tales anyway: that you can get rich by working hard, or that everyone in Switzerland has equal opportunities for a stable and happy life. But if that were true, why do people have to flee because of war? Why do glaciers continue to melt? And why can’t many Zurich residents afford to live there anymore? It’s high time for children to take over and tell their side of the story.
In Stefan Kaegi’s (Rimini Protokoll) political fantasy trip, eight children from Zurich, aged between 11 and 15, take to the big stage. They form a band and discover a mysterious theatre machine: the simulator – with which they can recreate the world. Thus begins an adventure journey through reality: they visit a server farm, discover a hidden refrigerator laboratory, share encounters with homeless people, and even a visit to the Federal Council in Bern.
Supported by Gesellschaft der Freunde des Schauspielhauses (gfs) and the Annette Ringier-Stiftung
Swiss German is spoken in parts of this production.
JOIN IN: In one scene, the children on stage talk about a demonstration in our city, and there is a moment in the play when you in the audience can demonstrate too! Join in and show what is important to you with your poster. Click here for instructions (only in German).
And here you can find the COMPETITION for the play!
CONTENT NOTE:
One scene addresses the war in Ukraine.
SENSORY WARNING:
This production contains fog, loud music and bright lighting at times.
Malin Keller
«In ‘Die Zauberformel von Zürich’, children come to power. Or rather, they rehearse a rebellion, set the theatre machinery dancing, and seize power.»
‘There was repeated applause for the eight young actors, who gave a fantastic performance. The songs and dance numbers were particularly well received (...)’