In the inn "To the Good Soldier"

Play with Music
REOPENING April 29 + 30 and May 8 + 9, 2026

Allow me to introduce, Schwejk, Josef.

After his friend, the innkeeper Palivec, is still languishing in prison, the brave soldier steps in. After all, he had often been a guest at Palivec's inn before; that should be enough to be a good innkeeper. Well, let's see how it goes.

And so the brave soldier, who is a successful dog dealer in civilian life, takes the opportunity to tell his almost unbelievable stories to an ever-new audience. Among other things, he recounts that back then – during the time of the First World War – he preferred to be "dumb" rather than dead. Because his officially confirmed mental limitations not only saved his life multiple times but also occasionally brought him comforts that the other "smart" soldiers could only dream of. As long as they could. However, Schwejk has survived the horrors of this time not only thanks to his lovable simplicity but also undeniably due to his peasant cunning.

Schwejk himself can always laugh heartily about these stories – if it weren't for Mrs. Navratil, a retired teacher and regular guest at the aforementioned inn. She has been waiting in vain for years for her husband – at the place where he possibly spent more time before his enlistment than at home with her. Mrs. Navratil is a serious person and a convinced pacifist. She likes to interrupt Schwejk's amusing tales with historical facts. However, the love for dogs connects the two protagonists.

CAST:
Josef Schwejk: Christoph Marcik (Waidhofner Volksbühne)
Mrs. Navratil: Sabine Halbwirth (Waidhofner Volksbühne)

Music: Karl Schaupp, Michael Grabner (Music and Arts School Waidhofen/Ybbstal)
Book and Direction: Uschi Nocchieri
Technical Support: Mario Plank