One guest, two tables, 110 questions. A genially merciless interviewer provides insights into a country’s mentality. For the fifth time now three different local personalities are thoroughly probed in 30-minute interviews by Pia Hierzegger, member of the Graz-based company Theater im Bahnhof. The guests answer randomly drawn questions ranging from the current political situation to personal issues, thus unfolding a vivid selection of greatly varying insights, views and perspectives.

The interviewer’s infallible sense of situation comedy and her charmingly relentless questioning not only produce some unexpected surprises, they also paint an intimate portrait of her interviewees. The purpose is not to expose or denounce. The spectators are part of worlds they not usually get to see: the worlds of politicians and squatters, early risers and night owls, natives and newcomers, higher and lower earners. Some questions might be banal but all the harder to answer. And then, after 30 minutes, an alarm goes off and ends the conversation.

Graz-based Theater im Bahnhof makes contemporary theatre for the people and deals with the Austrian identity between tradition and pop culture. It is Austria’s largest independent theatre group and has been a regular guest at brut, most recently with its production CLEANING UP.