Theatre Performance: Telephone Conversations with Ernst Jandl

The Austrian Cultural Forum London welcomes renowned Austrian playwright Stephan Bruckmeier and his one-man theatre show Telephone Conversations with Ernst Jandl for the first time in London.

This play is based on phone calls between Ernst Jandl and his editor Klaus Siblevsky. Towards the end of Jandl’s life, the telephone was the only medium with which Ernst Jandl could still communicate with the outside world. They talked about everything, helping us understand how Ernst Jandl lived and worked. The calls were incredibly moving and provided a rare insight into the late Austrian poet and author’s private thoughts and concerns. Later, they were adapted into a book in cooperation with Jandl’s long-time-partner Friederike Mayröcker. Stephan Bruckmeier, who knew Ernst Jandl personally and had a close relationship with him since 1988, adapted the book for the stage. He performed Telephone conversations with Ernst Jandl more than 100 times during its run from 2007–2009.

On the occasion of the centenary of Jandl’s birthday, we are proud to present this intimate play for the first time in London. Don’t miss this very touching, sometimes funny, sometimes sad tribute to a famous Austrian wordsmith.

The performance is fully accessible for a non-German speaking audience. Programmes in English will be provided.

Written by and starring: Stephan Bruckmeier

Music: Petra Pirolt (guitar)

© Kiepenheuer Theaterverlag

Stephan Bruckmeier was born in 1962. Since 1985 he worked as a director, actor and stage designer for theatre in Austria, Germany, USA, Kenya, Mozambique, France and Hungary. He directed more than 200 theatre productions. He had close ties to Jandl since 1988.