Why on earth – why?

A nocturnal conversation about merits and misdeeds.

Or perhaps a theatrical exploration of fate.

The Zurich Oberland poet Jakob Stutz was one of the most popular Swiss authors of his time. His ‘Gemälde aus dem Volksleben’ (Pictures from Folk Life) and his autobiography ‘Siebenmal sieben Jahre aus meinem Leben’ (Seven Times Seven Years of My Life) enjoyed great popularity amongst readers. In the 20th century, they served as the primary and most important source for folklore studies on the customs of the Zurich Oberland in the first half of the 19th century.

Supported in his youth as a gifted child from the countryside, he developed into a colourful personality. He became a vocational and primary school teacher, a writer and mentor to poets, an editor and adult educator, a social reformer and the founder of a savings bank.

From childhood, however, he was plagued by the realisation that he was different from other boys. As an adult, he came into conflict with the law because of his homosexual orientation and, whilst in prison, repeatedly asked himself: ‘Why on earth – why?’

Matthias Peter, theatre director and author, explores the life and fate of Jakob Stutz to mark the double anniversary – the 225th anniversary of his birth and the 150th anniversary of his death. Through a theatrical monologue on Stutz’s achievements and transgressions, he brings the poet back to life as a ghost in a small commemorative exhibition, giving him a voice and allowing the audience to share in his life story and inner struggles, without thereby excusing his misdeeds. The main settings of the narrative are the Zurich Oberland municipalities of Hittnau, Sternenberg, Fischenthal, Pfäffikon and Bäretswil. But the city of Zurich, as well as Schwellbrunn and Trogen in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, also feature.

By and starring Matthias Peter.

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www.matthiaspeter.ch