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