Theater im Bahnhof
CLEANING UP
Three Women Find Johanna Dohnal’s Trousers
In CLEANING UP, Theater im Bahnhof targets the issue of feminism in Austria. It all starts with the story of former Social Democrat Women’s Minister Johanna Dohnal, who fought for emancipation and equal rights from 1990 onwards. The three actresses of Theater im Bahnhof now venture a humorously critical evaluation seen through 2016 eyes, asking: Are we feminists? Have we ever been feminists? And do we want to be feminists?
For their partly black-humoured, partly profound or nostalgic evaluation, the women of Theater im Bahnhof put together a mosaic of subjective memories, thus writing a piece of Austrian emancipatory history. They link their subjective positions with elements from interviews and appearances of Johanna Dohnal as well as with historical commentaries from politics and society. It’s a very honest work of self-reflection, challenging everyone’s own position and demonstrating that the “Dohnalisation of our republic is far from being completed.” (Kleine Zeitung).
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 company and has been a regular guest at brut, currently with the regular interview series GUESTS at brut – A Talk-Show Concentrate.
Pressestimmen
“A political documentary combined with slapstick and a happening in the end… The acting performance of the writers, who are also the directors, is rewarding. They play themselves: three women past 40 philosophising about Johanna Dohnal. Over their engagement with this icon of feminist politics, the three of them keep forgetting who they are. Their disorientation as to whether or not a woman is a feminist today leads to a sensually orgiastic piece of actionist theatre.” Wiener Zeitung
Credits
Created by and featuring Johanna Hierzegger, Pia Hierzegger, Gabriela Hiti set and costume design Helene Thümmel dramaturgic consultation Ed. Hauswirth exhibited photographs Marija Kanizaj technical direction Moke Klengel sound support Claudia Holzer light support Martin Schneebacher production management Monika Klengel thanks to Lotti, Silvana Rabitsch, Erika Thümmel, Paul Vecsei, Irene Windisch, AK Steiermark.
A co-operation of Theater im Bahnhof/forum stadtpark. With the kind support of the City of Graz’s Cultural Office, the Styrian Provincial Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the Austrian Federal Chancellor’s Office.
Dates & Tickets
November 2016
brut+ 16 € / 12 € / 8 €
sold out 16 € / 12 € / 8 €
adult education event centre, Otto-Bauer-Gasse 7, 1060 Vienna
Otto-Bauer-Gasse 7, 1060 Vienna
brut all over Vienna
brut nordwest
accessible
Nordwestbahnstraße 8-10, 1200 Vienna
Subway: U1, U2 (Praterstern), U4 (Friedensbrücke), U6 (Dresdnerstraße) Tram: 5 (Nordwestbahnstraße) Bus: 5A (Wasnergasse)
studio brut
not accessible
Zieglergasse 25, 1070 Wien
Subway: U3 (Zieglergasse), Tram: 49 (Westbahnstraße / Zieglergasse)
brut at Exhibit Eschenbachgasse
Eschenbachgasse 11 / Ecke Getreidemarkt, 1010 Vienna
U-Bahn: U4, U1 (Karlsplatz), Tram: 1, 2, D, 71 (Burgring), Bus: 57A (Getreidemarkt)