Nestroy-Spiele Schwechat

The Nestroy-Spiele Schwechat is an annual theatre festival held since 1973 in the Rothmühle palace in Rannersdorf, a district of Schwechat in Lower Austria. It takes place in the palace courtyard and nearby stages, with performances running for five weeks from late June to late July. The festival focuses on staging rare and lesser-known works by the 19th-century Austrian playwright Johann Nestroy. Over the years, it has presented 40 of his 83 plays, including favourites like *Weder Lorbeerbaum noch Bettelstab* and *Zu ebener Erde und erster Stock*, which have been performed three times. The festival was founded in 1973 by the Nestroy Committee of Schwechat, led by Walter Mock, an amateur theatre director. Peter Gruber served as director and artistic leader for 50 years until 2022, when Christian Graf took over. The festival also hosts the International Nestroy Talks, where scholars gather to discuss the playwright’s work. Past guests have included actors and cabaret artists such as Josef Hader, Konstantin Wecker and Elfriede Ott, alongside regular Sunday ‘Nestroy breakfasts’ featuring semi-staged readings. Visitors find a lively programme of comedies and farces in the palace’s open-air setting, often paired with accompanying events. The festival grounds buzz with activity as audiences move between performances and talks. Nearby, the Himbergerstrasse rehearsal space ensures smooth preparations behind the scenes. The event blends scholarly discussion with accessible entertainment, offering a rare chance to experience Nestroy’s wit in an intimate yet grand setting.