BEFORE I SPEAK, I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY

A MARX BROTHER REENACTMENT

INVITED TO THE SWISS THEATRE ENCOUNTER 2017

 
 

In the beginning was the joke. This play devotes itself to the power of the joke as much as its powerlessness. Inspired by Groucho Marx, Max Merker and Matthias Schoch set their personal enthusiasm and higher nonsense against the banality of our existence, “riding the old humor horse”. Where does humor come from? Why is it not really considered an art? Could it help political emancipation?

The early Marx Brothers movies are legendary and serve as a basic idea for this “stage attack” on our risible muscles. Merker and Schoch set their humor over against our politically controversial times, following Groucho Marx’ motto about show-biz: “That’s Florida, folks: singing, dancing, entertainment, and after the entertainment there will be sandwiches”. In a quick manner they transfer slapstick classics into our times. Certain rules obviously function over the times and generations: Schoch plays live music with roguish charisma, Merker uses recorded music. They make people laugh, dropping bricks by the dozen.  

While Europe searches for its own identity in these changing times, Merker and Schoch evoke all kinds of sinister ghosts and evils. “Before I Speak I Have Something to Say” uncovers the oldest layer of our culture, the joke, born of the spirit of comedy.


With Max Merker und Matthias Schoch

Concept Martin Bieri, Max Merker, Matthias Schoch
Director/Idea Max Merker
Music Matthias Schoch
Dramaturgy Martin Bieri
Stage Design Martin Dolnik
Light/Video/Technical Director Patrick Hunka
Assistant Director Marianne Amsler
Production Management/Diffusion Ramun Bernetta

Production
Max Merker / Matthias Schoch

Coproduction
Fabriktheater Rote Fabrik Zürich, Kleintheater Luzern, Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn

Language German
Duration 60 Min. without Pause

Premiere 01. April 2016 Fabriktheater Rote Fabrik Zürich

With the Support of
Ernst Göhner Foundation, Jürg George Bürki-Foundation, Migros Cultural Percentage, Pro Helvetia - Swiss Arts Council


VIDEO

 
 
 

Video: Patrick Hunka


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UPCOMING EVENTS

PAST EVENTS (32)

 

01.04.2016 - Fabriktheater Rote Fabrik, Zürich

05.04.2016 - Fabriktheater Rote Fabrik, Zürich

07.04.2016 - Fabriktheater Rote Fabrik, Zürich

08.04.2016 - Fabriktheater Rote Fabrik, Zürich

09.04.2016 - Fabriktheater Rote Fabrik, Zürich

23.11.2016 - Kleintheater, Luzern

25.11.2016 - Kleintheater, Luzern

26.11.2016 - Kleintheater, Luzern

02.02.2017 - Theaterdiscounter, Berlin (DE)

03.03.2017 - Theaterdiscounter, Berlin (DE)

04.03.2017 - Theaterdiscounter, Berlin (DE)

03.03.2017 - Freilichtspiele, Schwäbisch Hall (DE)

04.03.2017 - Freilichtspiele, Schwäbisch Hall (DE)

26.05.2017 - Schweizer Theatertreffen, Lugano

01.11.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Solothurn

02.11.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Solothurn

26.11.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Solothurn

28.11.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Solothurn

08.12.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Solothurn

09.12.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Solothurn

10.12.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Biel

11.12.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Biel

20.12.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Solothurn

27.12.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Biel

28.12.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Biel

31.12.2017 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Solothurn

02.01.2018 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Biel

26.01.2018 - Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Solothurn

 06.12.2018 - Théâtre du Passage, Neuchâtel

 07.12.2018 - Théâtre du Passage, Neuchâtel

 08.12.2018 - Théâtre du Passage, Neuchâtel

 09.12.2018 - Théâtre du Passage, Neuchâtel