Songs which inspire hope and identity, awaken memories of bygone times or situations experienced, and which represent a musical piece of home. On what is it founded, our desire for tradition, green meadows, blue skies and sunshine? What are we thinking of when we hear “Schlager”, and what does it trigger in us?

Doris Stelzer’s new work let's dream developed out of dealing with – or better, confronting the „Schlager". Which values and clichés does it negotiate, and what have they got to do with us? How do people manage to put these meaningless signals so seductively that the audience is ready to fill them with content of their own?

let's dream seeks its place between the tradition of genuine folk music and the star cult of the „Schlager“, and traces the fascination which enthrals so many people. Its aim is not satire, but clarification of its inherent patterns with the means of deconstruction and appropriation. The „Schlager“ as a commercial mass phenomenon, its staging strategies of supposed empathy and the associated fan cult: Who’s swinging and swaying in time with the music, and why? And is it really “a titbit of perfect world”?

The German term “Schlager” (whose straightforward translation would be “hit”) is historically related to the popular songs of operettas and stands for a certain style of popular music, and can be best compared with the evergreen. Although the genre is hard to describe, as it has undergone many changes of connotation over the last hundred years, a Schlager can be assumed to be recognised by everyone – German speaking or not – as “a Schlager” immediately. The music is either loved or hated, and rarely meets indifference. „Schlagers“ range from sentimental love songs over folksy forms to animating party music.

Concept, Choreography Doris Stelzer (A)
Performance, Choreography Valerie Oberleithner (A), Ondřej Vidlář (CZ/BE)
Scenography Jan Machacek (A)
Lightdesign Tom Barcal (A)
Theory, Dramaturgical Input Astrid Peterle (A)
Production Assistance Reinhard Strobl (A)
Production dis.danse
PR SKYunlimited
Photo Bettina Frenzel
Thanks to a.pass, PARTS Summer Studios Residency, Tanzquartier Wien Residency, ttp WUK
Support Cultural Section of the City of Vienna and the Art