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The International Theater festival “Zurich Theater Spektakel”, has been delighting a colorful mix of spectators for over 40 years. In a stunning location directly on the shores of Lake Zurich. Each summer, the Landiwiese park near Wollishofen is transformed into a fabulous backdrop for performance and theatre. With international ensembles performing on various stages. Some of these stages are even built over the water.
Founded in 1980 as an international meeting of independent theatre companies, the Zurich Theater Spektakel has developed into a cultural event with international appeal.
Consistent, artistically high-quality programming, the unique atmosphere, and large numbers of an open-minded, interested audience are the basis of this success story and have made the Zurich Theater Spektakel a highly sought-after venue for renowned and up-and-coming theatre and dance groups from around the globe.
Many locals have been visiting the barrier-free and inclusive Zurich Theatre Festival since they were young. One other reason for this – besides their interest in theatre – is without a doubt the beautiful location directly at the lakeside.
Tickets for all shows on all stages are usually sold out months in advance. But this doesn’t keep people away. The Landiwiese is a great spot to hang out. One can soak in the festive atmosphere even if one can’t get into the shows. Many come to simply bask in the sun, take in the sights, go for a swim, or grab a bite to eat.
A myriad of street performers can be found during the day, before the feature shows open in the late evening.
As it darkens, the meadow begins to look like a fairground, with colorful lights decorating the entire meadow as well as the spaces between stages.
Many people bring their own snacks. But various restaurants also offer delicacies from all corners of the world.
To not take unnecessary risks, the architecture of this year’s festival site took current restrictions into account. Only one of the temporary venues were built, as opposed to usually dozens. The catering outlets were reduced as well.
To spread people out more and not end up with the thousands populating the large meadow in the evenings, the festival spread out over town and offered several additional projects in public spaces. As well as a new stage on the lakeshore.
Additional venues were the Fabriktheater (Rote Fabrik), Theater Hora, Gessnerallee, Tanzhaus Zürich, and Theater Neumarkt.
This was a concept which had already proven successful the year before, in 2020.
Same as then, street art could be viewed throughout the city during the festival weeks. As well as directly on the Landiwiese on the weekend.
Over 30 projects, including ten world premieres, from Casablanca to Tokyo, from London to Bogota were presented during this year’s festival. Seldom were there more premieres than at the 2021 Zurich Theater Spektakel.
A 20-meter-high installation was erected on Saffa Island, with a Colombian ship docking on its banks. Western operas were sung, Portuguese women danced the Bolero. Avatars from Hong Kong could be seen on stage. And 15 international artists were developing monuments for the Landiwiese meadow.
The most important things were back at the festival: art, people, nature, and food. Albeit on a smaller scale than before Corona.
So, the Theater Spektakel made a point to invite more plays for children and families than usual.
The Zurich theatre group Kolypan celebrated their 20ieth anniversary with a large open-air revue. Choreographer Lea Moro made her first production for children. Colorful underwater creatures told of the seas.
Another theatre, the Fundus Theatre invited children to try out seven sweets for themselves during the performance “Auf Zucker” (On Sugar).
You can find all current information on the official Theater Spektakel website.
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Liam Klenk was born in Central Europe and has since lived on four continents. Liam has always been engaged in creative pursuits, ranging from photography and graphic design, to writing short stories and poetry, to working in theatre and shows. In 2016, Liam published his first book and memoir, 'Paralian'.
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