Jan Mocek
Wandervogel
Prague
Director Jan Mocek turns his gaze to the places others prefer to ignore. In his latest work, he examines a dark chapter of Czechoslovak-German history. Idealised masculinity, vulnerable bodies, romanticised nature, and political insanity intertwine to create a performance that resonates – especially against the backdrop of today’s political climate.
Read more
1918: The Austro-Hungarian Empire collapses, and the Sudeten Germans – a German-speaking minority in the newly founded Czechoslovakia – find themselves in an unwelcome state. Amidst this upheaval, Heinz Rutha steps onto the political stage: a charismatic leader with a radical vision. He aims to form an elite from the most handsome and athletic Sudeten German boys: a combative men’s club of the highest calibre, driven by emancipatory pathos, the ideal of lifelong male friendship, and, not least, repressed homoerotic desire.
Once an influential nationalist politician, the now largely forgotten Rutha was a flamboyant figure in the Sudeten German youth movement. His life, marked by contradictions, serves as the foundation for «Wandervogel» – a humorous and provocative exploration of masculinity, education, state, and fascism. Prague-based director Jan Mocek confronts Rutha’s world head-on, intertwining historical speeches, police records, and diary entries with the personal experiences of the performers on stage. With a courageous embrace of vulnerability, self-irony, and striking imagery, «Wandervogel» invites the audience to contemplate the connections between Rutha’s vision and contemporary political narratives.
Dates and Tickets
shows from today- Sa 23.08. 21:00 - 22:15 CHF 40.–/20.–
- Su 24.08. 18:00 - 19:15 CHF 40.–/20.– Quota of tickets available at the box office
- Mo 25.08. 19:00 - 20:15 CHF 40.–/20.–
Support programme
Stammtisch
War and Masculinity Today
Mon 25.8., 21 pm
Accessibility
Content Warning
This performance addresses themes of war and homophobia and includes scenes with nudity.
Artistic direction and cast
| Konzept, Regie & Bühnenbild | Jan Mocek |
|---|---|
| Mit | Tomáš Janypka, Philipp Schenker, Matěj Šumbera, Arseniy Mikhaylov, Václav Němec |
| Musik | Matouš Hekela |
| Ton & Beleuchtung | Ondřej Růžička |
| Produzent*innen | Táňa Švehlová, SixHouses z.s. |
| Artistic advice | Sodja Lotker |
| Choreography advice | Jaro Viňarský |
| Übersetzung | Bára Čermák, Philipp Schenker |
| Operator | Tena Svehlova |
| Foto | Adéla Vosičková |
Production
| Produktion | Six Houses |
|---|---|
| Koproduktion | Alfred in the Yard, Masaryk-Institut, Archiv der Akademie der Wissenschaften der Tschechischen Republik, Verlag Academia, Prager Theaterfestival der deutschen Sprache |
| Unterstützung | Ministerium für Kultur der Tschechischen Republik, Stadt Prag, Stadtbezirk Prag 7, Staatlicher Kulturfonds, Tschechisch-Deutscher Zukunftsfonds, SixHouses |
| Premiere | November 2024, Alfred in the Yard, Prag |
Süd
Site map
Gripping evening of theatre. A true story. Provocative, resonant, humorous.
Swiss Premiere. Nominated for the ZKB Patronage Prize
Duration
1.15 hrs.
Language
Czech, German
Surtitles
German, English
Age
18 years plus
An inclusive event
Thanks
Thanks to Mark Cornwall, Jan Hofman, and Lucia Škandíková. The piece is based on Mark Cornwall’s book «The Devil’s Wall».