Nesterval
Die Namenlosen
The Nameless
Nesterval’s new work The Nameless (Die Namenlosen) deals with the systematic persecution and killing of homosexual and trans people during the National Socialist regime. It is created in co-production with brut Wien and consulted by QWIEN – Zentrum für queere Stadtgeschichte. Nesterval, the ‘queer popular theatre guerrilla’ (Kampnagel, Hamburg) that received the NESTROY theatre award in 2020, most recently tackled Thomas Mann’s Buddenbrooks and, at original locations, the downfall of the monarchy in Austria in Die letzten Tage der Nestervals (‘The Last Days of the Nestervals’).
The area of Vienna’s railway station Nordwestbahnhof, August 2nd, 1938. ‘Der ewige Jude’ (the eternal Jew), an antisemitic exhibition full of hatred and denunciation, is being opened in the main hall of the station. Many lives are subject to forced labour, deportation, and looting by the Nazis. In one of the halls on the vast grounds, there is the warehouse of the Nesterval china factory with the attached canteen where family members, workers and residents meet. Martha Nesterval, outwardly a staunch National Socialist, is here for the company. She and her husband, a doctor also loyal to the regime, are supposed to take their nephew under their wing to heal him of his ‘dreamy manners.’ But the environment to which the aunt introduces the nephew instead opens him yet another new world: At night, they say, the company canteen turns into an unofficial, secret joint for the Nameless, whose life is so often determined by fear, danger, and self-denial during the day. But even this parallel universe is about to be destroyed ‘piece by piece and person by person’. The activities around the canteen and the nightly goings-on have stirred the curiosity of the police, who now begin to investigate in the group’s milieu, asking around for evidence of lewd behaviour and criminal energies. The audience will get closer to the characters than ever in this new Nesterval production, since it will embody their thoughts – the thoughts that are with them at all times as they move through the story.
The immersive acting group Nesterval identifies as a queer popular theatre that translates historic classics of literature and drama into the present day by exaggerating and deconstructing them. Each production revolves around the pleasure of playing, the creation of a theatrical space for adventure, and the involvement of the audience in the performance. Interactive agency is enabled by empathy, surprising casting, and the conversations between spectators and actors that are actively pursued during, but also after the show. Nesterval works with a queer technique of empowerment in which the playful level always includes a political dimension as societally relevant questions are posed and negotiated. All productions – more than 25 so far have been shown in Austria and abroad – are based on epochal events of the (fictional) Nesterval family dynasty. They are all site-specific and make reference to the cultural, societal, and historical background of each venue, thus fostering the decentralisation of the arts and culture industry. The cast is composed of about 20 performers, drag artists, and actors, who, in different constellations, tell the story of the legendary Nesterval family.
Trigger warning: The performance deals with war, anti-Semitism, discrimination and National Socialism. There will be dark rooms, depictions of violence and nudity. There is always the option to leave the rooms/scenes and go back to the bar (safe space) if you feel uncomfortable. If you have any questions or concerns about the content, please contact team@nesterval.at and the group will get back to you.
Pressestimmen
"The Nameless is the most complex piece by Finnland and his collaborators: One is constantly amazed by the precise flow of the many parallel actions." (Kurier)
"It's not just gazing, but thinking along, living along, feeling along." (Der Standard)
"The Nesterval ensemble invites you to a logistical coup at Vienna's Nordwestbahnhof." (Die Presse)
"Under the direction of Martin Finnland, the ensemble succeeds in delivering an extraordinary history lesson." (Wiener Zeitung)
Credits
Artistic Director / Director Martin Finland Written by Teresa Löfberg Co-Writers Martin Finland, Gisa Fellerer, Lorenz Tröbinger Co-Concept, Applications & Archive Martin Walanka Production Emilie Kleinszig Stage Design Andrea Konrad Set Construction Andreas Holzmann (Vienna Decoration Company) and Walter Winkelmüller Costume Design Dritan Kosovrasti Choreography Marcelo Doño Secondary Direction Lorenz Tröbinger Composition Julian Muldoon Song Lyrics Sarah Muldoon Sound Design Alkis Vlassakakis Collaboration Play Development Gisa Fellerer Scientific Collaboration Andreas Brunner, Jürgen Pettinger Consulting Magic Raphael Macho Team Equipment Ruth Grau, Willy Mutzenpachner, Milo Marx, Lorenz Hötzeneder Evening management Canteen Peter Kraus Graphic design Rita Brandneulinger Website Gisa Fellerer Social media Christopher Wurmdobler Photography Alexandra Thompson Trailer Lorenz Tröbinger Director's traineeship Laura Athanasiadis Cooperations Lukas Kirisits Accounting & Office Doris Panzer Technology Plan B, Till Gatermann Stage management Ela Lankes, Sabine Anders, Sebastian Kieberl Bar Denice Bourbon, Simon Stockinger, Anne Wieben, Norbert Fiedler, Alexandra Thompson, Bernhard Hablé, Eva Deutsch, Jürgen Pettinger, Luki Kirisits, Markus Gorfer
With Christopher Wurmdobler, Martin Finland, Gisa Fellerer, Chiara Seide, Stefan Pauser, Sophie Riedl, Romy Hrubeś, Willy Mutzenpachner, Rita Brandneulinger, Johannes Scheutz, Sven Diestel, Gellert Gerson Butter, Martin Walanka, Laura Hermann, Aston Matters, Lorenz Tröbinger, Peter Kraus, Julia Fuchs, Alkis Vlassakakis, Ela Lankes, Sabine Anders, Sebastian Kieberl, Denice Bourbon, Simon Stockinger, Anne Wieben, Norbert Fiedler, Alexandra Thompson, Bernhard Hablé, Eva Deutsch, Jürgen Pettinger, Luki Kirisits, Markus Gorfer
Special thanks to Tove Grün (dramaturgical support), Peter Hörmanseder (sound recordings), Ari Ban, ÖBB and the friends of Nesterval (especially Andrea & Valerie Lenk, Andreas Kauba, Gerhard Mariarcher, Martin Hinterndorfer and Michael Marker) as well as Nikolaus Vogler and (PHKV Rechtsanwälte) and René Lipkovich (SLT Siart Lipkowvich & Team).
A co-production with brut Wien.
With the kind support of MA7 Kultur // BMKÖS // National Fund of the Republic of Austria.
Nesterval
Dates & Tickets
TICKET PURCHASE
- From the beginning of May, Nesterval will be showing the new production DIE NAMENLOSEN. A total of 25 performances are planned in Vienna. ATTENTION: Presale for the shows in May starts on April 5th at 12:00 pm. Presale for the dates in June starts on May 8th.
- Ticket sales are limited to 5 tickets per buyer.
SOLI-TIKCKETS
- All visitors with Soli-Tickets are kindly asked to be there by 7:30 pm at the latest, so that there is enough time for a Special Welcome. If there is a line, please go directly to the check-in and announce that you are coming to Frances! Nesterval cannot guarantee a Special Welcome after 7:30 pm.
GENERAL INFO
- Access via inner courtyard brut nordwest, Nordwestbahnstraße 8-10, 1200 Vienna
- Accessibility: The area is accessible. If you need tickets for wheelchair users and accompanying persons, please send an email to tickets@brut-wien.at at least three days before your preferred date – we will then gladly make a reservation!
- Easy check-in is possible from 7:00 pm. After dropping off your wardrobe you can get a drink at the bar. The cafeteria chef Vivian will take care of you. Check-in is possible until 7:45 pm. The play starts punctually at 8:00 pm. Attention: A late entry after 7:45 pm is not possible. In case of late arrival the tickets cannot be refunded.
- The play takes about 3 hours and is expected to end at 11:00 pm. The bar will be open afterwards until at least 11:30 pm.
- The minimum age for this performance is 18. Identification may be requested at time of admission. Persons 16 and older may come accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- We ask that you do not bring large bags if possible. Coats and bags must be left at the wardrobe.
- Photography or filming is not permitted at any time. Your cell phones will be kept in a sealed bag to carry with you during the play.
- There is no dress code.
DURING THE VISIT
- Please note that this is a 3-hour performance with no fixed seating, so we recommend comfortable footwear (no heels or open-toed shoes). We ask that you leave free seating in the rooms to guests for whom prolonged standing may be difficult.
- During the performance there is a possibility to consume drinks in the bar. Currently, only cash payment is possible here. Drinks may not be taken into the performance area under any circumstances. During the performance you may be offered drinks by characters: these are alcoholic!
- Nesterval and brut Wien reserve the right to deny access to spectators for inappropriate behavior or to expel them from the venue at any time without refunding the ticket price.
- Trigger warning: the play addresses and negotiates anti-Semitism, discrimination, Nazism and war, among other issues. There will be dark rooms, sounds of war / sirens, nudity and depictions of violence. You can and should leave the rooms / scenes at any time if you feel unwell and go back to the cafeteria (Safe Space). Please feel free to contact the Awareness Team Vivian & Frances if needed.
FOR THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
- Immersive theater is a personal journey, which means you may be separated from your group.
- During the play, you will have the unique opportunity to move around in the minds of the characters present as figments of their imaginations and fantasies. You don't have to do anything for this, except follow the characters. But beware: as it is with thoughts, you can interact, but not intervene in reality.
- We recommend – especially in the beginning – to follow a character as long as possible. This way a confused thought can become a clear one. You can only change rooms if you follow a character!
- After the play, Nesterval invites you to an unofficial audience discussion in the canteen. Here you will have the opportunity to talk with the performers as well as with other guests about the experience. The artists are looking forward to talk to you!
May 2023
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold Out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold Out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold Out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold Out
June 2023
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold Out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold Out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold Out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Start: 7:45 pm // Sold out
Near brut nordwest
Nordwestbahnstraße 8–10, 1200 Vienna
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