What it's about
**Between patriarchal traditions and queer tragedy** In the hilly landscape of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, the bells of the Silvesterchläuse ring out. On their elaborately decorated hats, the masked figures who move around in small groups, called Schuppeln, carry stories about life in the province. So much for Appenzell tradition… But one Schuppel tells a different story. One that is not expected here, yet belongs here just as much as the story of logging and skiing. It is the story of a lesbian love that flares up turbulently and finally falls apart in a “wüescht” way. Astrid lives in Zürich and Rosalie on her parents’ farm. The encounter between the two women seems like a kindred spirit and an exhilarating first amour fou. But soon, friction creeps into the relationship. Astrid and Rosalie face many questions. How much closeness can a relationship bear? Who tells you when it is time to leave? How do you know that love should not hurt? What do you do when the gruusig side takes over? The story is accompanied by the musical “Chicken”, which watches and comments on everything. Can “Disco Chick” save the lovers and balance the beautiful and the “Wüeschte” in the story? Through this failing relationship, the trio Pop-Up Mountain Company, consisting of Leander Albin, Asa Hendry and Rosanna Rotach, sheds light in “Schällewiiber” on the conflicts and contradictions of queer ways of life between city and countryside. Can the evil spirits be driven out — as in the Silvesterchläuse custom in Appenzell — and what lies behind the “wüescht” grimaces? Between patriarchal traditions and queer tragedy, the performance weaves a coming-of-age story with local rituals. The result is an aesthetic friction that makes the invisible visible and opens up space for coming together. For the concept and development of the piece, the group was awarded the Swiss emerging talent prize PREMIO 2025. A co-production with Theater Chur. In collaboration with Gessnerallee Zürich, Roxy Birsfelden and Schlachthaus Theater Bern.
