Vienna’s Theater am Werk is preparing to host the latest production from Austria’s acclaimed Aktionstheater, following a celebrated premiere this week. “Speed (kills content),” directed by Martin Gruber, tackles contemporary anxieties around economic pressures and a rapidly changing world thru the ensemble’s signature blend of dynamic performance, music, and visual art. the production,which recently followed a prosperous run at New York’s AMT Theater,earned a standing ovation at its debut in Dornbirn and will open in Vienna on January 11th.
Martin Gruber’s Aktionstheater is once again proving its unique place in the world of theater with “Speed (kills content).” The ensemble, celebrating over three decades of groundbreaking work, delivers a performance that’s both timely and thought-provoking. The premiere on Tuesday evening at the Spielboden in Dornbirn earned a standing ovation from the captivated audience.
What sets Aktionstheater apart is its consistently innovative approach. While maintaining familiar elements like collage techniques, dynamic choreography, and live music, the ensemble avoids repetition. The themes explored – retro-politics, economic pressures, and navigating a world in crisis – are all relevant to the current moment, but it’s the execution that truly shines, often challenging conventional language and delivering a fresh, immediate experience.
“Speed (kills content)” maintains a high energy and intensity, especially considering the ensemble’s recent success with “All about me,” which premiered in Austria in 2024 and was performed at the AMT Theatre in New York. The New York run, and the enthusiastic response it received – including further invitations, as reported by Martin Gruber to APA – clearly haven’t diminished the group’s momentum.
Aktionstheater consistently challenges its audience, probing not only their attention but also their preconceptions with remarkable insight. A brief sequence referencing Arthur Schnitzler’s “Anatol” cycle, specifically the “Christmas shopping” scene, serves as a pointed critique of societal pretension. Viewers shouldn’t be quick to judge the characters’ perceived lack of education in “Speed (kills content)” if they aren’t familiar with the wisdom of Schnitzler’s Gabriela. The nuanced portrayal of this scene by Thomas Kolle and Benjamin Vanyek is as impactful as Isabella Jeschke’s raw and vulnerable search for housing, as moving as Zeynep Alan’s struggle for essential discount coupons, and as cleverly witty as Kirstin Schwab’s escapist fantasy as the Sailor Moon character.
The work delves into the underlying fear of losing oneself amidst the relentless pace of modern events, a theme powerfully embodied by Tamara Stern. With a strong vocal performance and a deliberately provocative outfit that questions voyeurism, Stern confronts the audience with the idea of brain manipulation as a path to happiness.
Nichts hat sich abgenutzt
As the musicians – Andreas Dauböck, Pete Simpson, and Jean Philipp Oliver Viol – play “Laisse tomber les filles” by France Gall, the figures projected in the background by video artist Resa Lut become increasingly visible. They represent vulnerability, desperation, but also self-awareness. The interpretation suggests a call for accountability, both for oneself and for others. The themes are familiar, but the presentation remains fresh and compelling, earning the premiere audience in Dornbirn a standing ovation and setting the stage for performances at the Theater am Werk in Vienna starting in January.
(Von Christa Dietrich/APA)
(S E R V I C E -“Speed (kills content)” by Martin Gruber and Ensemble. Direction: Martin Gruber; Stage and Costumes: Valerie Lutz; Video: Resa Lut; Dramaturgy: Martin Ojster; Music: Andreas Dauböck, Pete Simpson and Jean Philipp Oliver Viol. Featuring Zeynep Alan, Isabella Jeschke, Thomas Kolle, Kirstin Schwab, Tamara Stern and Benjamin Vanyek. Additional performances on December 4, 5, and 6 at the Spielboden in Dornbirn and starting January 11 at the Theater am Werk in Vienna: )
