De Franzos im Ybrig

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For the 75th birthday of renowned Zug author Thomas Hürlimann, the TheaterCasino Zug is performing its own interpretation of his successful play «De Franzos im Ybrig». This will be the first time that one of Hürlimann’s works is being shown at the theatre in his hometown.

In 1798, Napoleon’s army stood at the border of ‘old’ Switzerland, petrifying the inhabitants of a small mountain village in Ybrig. The pugnacious male population is ready to surprise the enemy with an avalanche of ice and boulders from the peak of the mountain. The women meanwhile defend the village against a one-legged painter of battle scenes whom Napoleon’s troops had sent ahead as a scout.

Hürlimann’s play combines mysticism with good old-fashioned popular comedy. Based on a story from 1824, the author pits the patriarchy against a group of confident women. Cliches are inflated to their absurd conclusion all for the purposes of humour, while a hint of “Alpine mysticism” runs through Christoph Haering’s production. The play was written in Schwyz dialect with some current Zug references set to be added by the author. An integral part of the show is the new score from Zug composer Mathias Landtwing, played live on stage by the Mathias Landtwing Quartet and performed by professionals and also amateur Zug singers.