Theatre performance
Holy Mothers - Die Präsidentinnen

Werner Schwab's sharp-tongued social drama comes to Melbourne

Wed, 20.02.2019 -
Sun, 03.03.2019
La Mama Courthouse

Austrian writer Werner Schwab (1958-1994) is regarded as one of the last "bad boys" among theatre professionals in the 20th century. The ruthless, shocking and taboo language made his plays and their social criticism legendary even during his lifetime. In 1990 his first drama "Die Präsidentinnen" (The Presidents) celebrated its successful premiere in Vienna and has since been performed regularly in German-speaking countries. The English translation in 1997, supported by the Goethe-Institut, was followed by acclaimed international productions with the title "Holy Mothers". 

In 2019 Uschi Felix and André Bastian will bring the scandalous play to Australia for the very first time. The production takes the audience into the grotesque and emotional world of three women from the lowest social status. There will be cursing, dreaming and gossiping!

Werner Schwab's unmistakable language makes the drama a bitter, hilarious treatise on society, religion and life in general.

With the support of the Goethe-Institut and the Austrian Embassy in Canberra, "Holy Mothers (the Presidents)" will be staged at the not-for-profit "La Mama Theatre" in Melbourne.

Director: André Bastian has been working in Melbourne since 2006 and has previously directed numerous productions in Europe and Australia.

Cast: Alice Bishop, Helen Doig and Uschi Felix.

Get in the draw to win a double pass for the 21 February performance by emailing arts1-melbourne@goethe.de before 10 February!