The talk of the town
WITH: Mike Müller & guests
PFAUEN
Mike Müller, the gatekeeper, has proven himself. And so, in this season as well, he is holding people up who pass by his lodge of a very different kind. Some are passing through the gate (Pforte) because they want to head home after a long day’s work. Others are arriving for their shift and don’t want to be delayed, while some just want to take a look around the building and have a few questions. Mike Müller certainly has a few questions of his own for those passing by. Officially, it’s called 'Talk.' At the gate, they just call it 'Chit-chat.' It can be deeply serious or seriously lighthearted. And some things simply can’t be talked about—you have to sing about them. But see and hear for yourself!
PFORTE begins at 8 p.m. and lasts no longer than a bad B-movie. There is no intermission, but cool drinks are available at reasonable prices afterwards.
Nr. 1
Mike Müller certainly has a few questions for the guests dropping by his place on December 9, 2025. Things might get serious when asking a politician running for mayor the ultimate Gretchenfrage: "Ms. Kahriman, tell me, where do you stand on theater?" The doorman definitely won't be asking Karin Pfammatter, a member of the Schauspielhaus ensemble, that kind of question. With her, the conversation will likely touch on a nostalgic teenage fetish. Here’s a quick spoiler: Mike Müller, coming from outside Switzerland’s central regions, skied on the exact same brand as downhill hotshot Karin Pfammatter during his youth—Blizzard, pronounced the German way.
Then there are two Oberwinterthur locals hosting a highly successful podcast aimed at people whose names get flagged in red by Word: Yoldaş Gündoğdu and Serhat Koca of Kurds & Bündig. Mike Müller isn't quite sure whether to welcome them as Oberwinterthur Kurds or Kurdish Oberwinterthur locals—or if that distinction even matters at all. Yoldaş and Serhat have their eyes on the theater management and are dreaming big. At least, that's what the doorman believes.
WITH: Serap Kahriman, Karin Pfammatter, Yoldaş Gündoğdu, and Serhat Koca
Nr. 2
On January 31, 2026, guests who haven't met yet will be dropping by to get acquainted over some doorman gossip.
First up is mayoral candidate Përparim Avdili, who chose not to change his name to Armin Adilli or Illi despite Weltwoche's recommendation. Reena Krishnaraja from Appenzell visits the gatehouse because the doorman wants to introduce her to the artistic management. Author Katja Früh drops in—not to audition as a former actress, God forbid (her words, not mine), but to deliver her new book. Ensemble member Florian Voigt performs a enchanting Spanish art song before heading off to the premiere of STÜTZLIWÖSCH TRE at 8:30 PM in the Schauspielhaus cellar (he delivers a glorious performance in STÜTZLIWÖSCH DUE himself). Right at the start, because the doorman arrives late for his shift change, the ensemble psychologist and actress minds the gatehouse for a few minutes—a classic dramaturgical trick. She simply thinks the entire theater is magnificent.
WITH: Përparim Avdili, Reena Krishnaraja, Katja Früh, Florian Voigt, Rahel Hubacher
Nr. 3
Once again on May 29, 2026, the paths of three Zurich locals who might otherwise rush past each other at Bellevue or the local lido cross at the Pfauen.
Prop master Rock Battaglia really just wants to start his shift, but ends up collegially answering a few of the doorman's questions about the circus where he grew up. Presenter, performer, and author Fatima Moumouni stops by with her new play DIE WEISSE MADONNA VON EINSIEDELN, which has been running at Theater Basel since April 22nd—and National Councillor Jacqueline Badran brings along an entire eventful life.
More than enough material for great conversation. There is still a musical performance on top of it all, though—so which ensemble member grabbed the key to the music room this time?
WITH: Rock Battaglia, Fatima Moumouni, Jacqueline Badran
Nr. 4
On October 20, 2026, featuring Lara Stoll, the punk of the spoken word scene. Few navigate the space between chaos, comedy, and poetry as virtuously as the Schaffhausen native. Currently touring Switzerland with her latest solo show, she is now making a pitstop with Mike Müller—bringing along her book «Dunni – Scheitern in 6 Teilen» ("Dunni – Failing in 6 Parts").
Books will also be brought by Olivia El Sayed. In her writing, on stage, and on Instagram, she makes the entanglements, confusions, and despairs of everyday life look no lighter, but certainly more entertaining. Perhaps that is why El Sayed has been called a "beacon of hope for our time" (NZZ). She has performed her stage show «flowery wordis» over thirty times, yet "has never won anything besides the salami basket at the Pfungen village festival" (Olivia El Sayed). We think she's absolutely magnificent anyway—just like ensemble member Mouataz Alshaltouh.
At the Schauspielhaus this October, he can be seen as Christopher Wren in DIE MAUSEFALLE and soon again as Tancredi in IL GATTOPARDO. He talks with Mike Müller about cat-and-mouse games on stage and life beyond the theater, outside its doors.
WITH: Lara Stoll, Olivia El Sayed, Mouataz Alshaltouh
