Gessnerallee is located in the flood plain of the Sihl. Should the Sihldamm dam near Einsiedeln break, an eight metre high flood wave is expected in Zurich. The theatre would have to be evacuated. Based on this scenario and the precautions that a theatre takes to avoid the worst-case scenario, «In Case of Emergency», the new production by Ben Burger and Mona De Weerdt, addresses the increasing erosion of our social sense of security and questions the premises of disaster prevention.

«We are safe as long as we are safe.»

In «In Case of Emergency», the theatre apparatus performs itself. The large Halle of Gessnerallee becomes a freely accessible audiovisual installation. The evening is not led by performers, but by all the people - the technicians and evening services (Bojan Milosevic, Lise Couchet, Benjamin Knörle, Piotr Rybkowski, Miriam Walther, Kathrin Veser, Shelagh Armin, Manuel Gerst) - who usually work behind the scenes to ensure that the theatre runs safely and smoothly.

They show the way, carry out open conversions and material checks, play music and simulate the incident and disaster in the theatre in accordance with the prevailing safety regulations.

«Has the reactor been damaged or has democracy imploded?»

«In Case of Emergency» is an evening of theatre brimming with superstition, unfun facts, deliberate security leaks and fantastic pessimism. The play celebrates the poetry of avoidance by demonstrating all the measures needed to prevent an emergency.

Information on accessibility and language

The performance takes place in German spoken language and the premises are accessible without steps.

There is an integrated audio description.

The performance is recommended for people aged 16 and over.

Sensory stimuli

• Strobe effects

• Fog

• Low light in places, dark lighting conditions

• Loud music, bass

• A bang effect