Theater Winkelwiese

Standing right in front of it, you can see a small brown sign that says “Theater Winkelwiese”. It might look unassuming, but behind this facade lies a vibrant history of avant-garde theater. Imagine the scene: It’s June 16th, 1964. The air is thick with anticipation. The famous actress and director Maria von Ostfelden is about to open a new theater in the basement of the Villa Tobler, a beautiful building with a rich history. She picks Harold Pinter’s “The Caretaker” for the grand opening. With this choice, she sets the stage for the future of Theater Winkelwiese, a theater dedicated to pushing boundaries and challenging norms. From the very beginning, it became a haven for experimental theater, a place where unconventional plays and groundbreaking performances had a stage. Now, look around the building – can you feel the spirit of that past? Today, it’s still considered a leading institution in Switzerland, known for nurturing young playwrights and bringing cutting-edge theater to the Swiss stage. The theater’s dedication to modern plays is remarkable, in particular its own author-development program, “Dramenprozessor,” which supports and mentors new voices in Swiss theater. This gives a chance for young playwrights to work on their craft, resulting in several successful productions. The Theater Winkelwiese is a testament to the transformative power of theater, a place where stories are told, ideas are explored, and boundaries are pushed. This is a place where creativity and innovation are alive and well.