Before ‘Yes’ and ‘No’

Dear visitors to Gessnerallee, dear artists

Just in time for the start of our season last Thursday, the 9th issue of the Gessnerallee newspaper has also been published. In this weekly newsletter, we give you a glimpse into the new articles. Some of them are already available to read online. Anyone wishing to read the full newspaper in print can order it at zeitung@gessnerallee.ch either as a single copy or as a four-issue subscription. You can find all issues published to date here.

What do theatre and realpolitik have in common? In both, social issues are addressed, roles are assigned, majorities are sought and realities are shaped. Yet whilst the political process ultimately results in a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’, theatre is interested in the space that precedes it: in the undecided, in contradictions and in the possibility of shaking certainties to their core. Zurich Cantonal Councillor Mandy Abou Shoak writes about this connection – this distinction between politics and theatre – in the popular series ‘A Thought on Theatre’ (only in German).

It is precisely when political scope narrows that we are drawn to places where other ways of thinking can be explored, where things taken for granted are questioned, and where rules can be temporarily suspended. This is what we explore in this issue: access and encounter, children and club culture, and the freedom not to have to tell a story to its conclusion.

Since 2014, cultural manager Nadja Furrer has been bringing bands – who would otherwise play to adult audiences – to the Stall6 at the Gessnerallee for children’s concerts, ranging from indie pop to hip-hop and Latin music. Journalist Timo Posselt spoke to her about the special magic between the bands and their astonishingly direct young audience. Because children, says Furrer, are discerning: if they don’t like it, they get up and leave. If the spark is there, they clap, sing and dance wildly. The next children’s concert will take place on 20 September, featuring the musician Gina Été. Read the article (only in German) and buy tickets

In early October, the Backslash Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary. Journalist Lara Blatter takes stock with Alex Gaeng, Laura-Maria Drage and Cristiana Stella. They discuss a festival that straddles club culture and performance art, inviting its audience to step outside their comfort zone. Read the interview (only in German) and buy tickets

How can culture be made accessible to as many people as possible? Journalist Raffaela Angstmann has been following the Zurich Access Kultur (ZAK) association, which advises cultural institutions on accessibility and inclusion. She meets Nina Mühlemann and Brianna Deeprose, two of the three co-managing directors, as well as consultant Jasmin Polsini, whilst she is at work at the Helmhaus. It becomes clear that barriers are often invisible, needs vary, and absolute accessibility is hardly possible.

What remains of the opera character Carmen once her story has been told: dramaturg Isabel Gatzke discusses ‘strike’ with performance artist Wu Tsang, the latest work by the collective Moved by the Motion, which will be on show from 16 to 18 November at the Gessnerallee. On Carmen as a modern mythical figure and a canvas for projection, the return to intimacy, and the contradiction between representation and involvement. And on the power of flamenco: when it begins, says Tsang, everyone pauses. Read the interview(only in German) and book tickets

Last but not least, this issue is enriched by its recurring features: Tren Guerrero has photographed the choreographer and dancer Tiran Willemse for the photo essay. Artist and musician Rada Leu has created a comic strip based on the rehearsals for ‘Multitud’ by choreographer Tamara Cubas. In the fashion column, multimedia artist Lyn Bentschik presents comfortable and practical fashion that doesn’t constrain, constrict or pinch. And author, comedian and film producer Karpi ventures a look at the stars in the theatre horoscope.

Enjoy the read – and now for the programme overview:

More about the programme

‘YOU CANNOT CAN’ by Dana Michel

19 and 20 September, 8 pm on both nights

A humorous adventure unfolds around and in the swimming pool at the Altstetten indoor swimming pool, exploring the importance of swimming for self-confidence and overcoming fears. There are still a few tickets left. Buy tickets

Children’s concert with Gina Été

20 September, 3 pm

Breathless intimacy, political awareness and music that is multi-layered, surprising and intense: we’re talking about the Zurich-based musician Gina Été. She combines what many would consider incompatible: artful pop music and powerful statements. Buy tickets

‘The New Uncertainty – Love Edition’ by Fatima Moumouni with ஸ்வஸ்தி சிவசண்முகநாத சர்மா / Swassthi Sivasanmukanatha Sarma

25 September, 8 pm

The conversational experiment on a ‘safer space for uncertainty’ – this time on the theme ‘Where, how, what is “community”?’. It’s about dealing with privilege within struggles and communities. And it’s about Black-Tamil alliances, as well as missing alliances, exclusions, disappointments – and hopes. Buy tickets

‘Backslash Festival 2026’

2 and 3 October

The Backslash Festival presents a carefully curated selection of live electronic acts, performances, DJ sets and visual interventions. Over two long evenings, 25 artists from the international, national and local scenes will take over the spaces at the Gessnerallee and bring them to life in a variety of ways. The result is a thrilling atmosphere that invites you to stay until dawn. Buy tickets

We hope you enjoy reading this and wish you a great second half of the week.

The Gessnerallee team