Günther Lainer & Ernst Aigner

Cabaret about religion and the church can be a hell of a lot of fun. Lainer & Aigner have long proven this with "I am the Vine, You are the Bottles" and "Operation Sheep." They have conquered not only cabaret stages but also parish halls with their performances. Even some clergymen (with or without girlfriends) have enjoyed their shows.

Why, after two "secular programs," a third one on the topic of religion? First, because thanks to the breathtaking pace of reform in the church, most issues are as fresh as on the first day. And second, because Lainer & Aigner do not want to leave Christianity to either fascists or pale clerics.

Their focus is primarily on practice: Whether someone believes in one God, many, or none at all – what matters is the effort to be a kind and helpful person. The poor dog doesn’t care whether the rescuer in need calls their God Allah or Yahweh, Huitzilopochtli, or nothing at all. What matters is that they help.

The problem lies more with those who constantly spout pious sayings to elevate themselves. Like the swarm of evangelical, filthy rich televangelists who, in front of rolling cameras, ecstatically roll their eyes to lay hands on the horror clown in the White House. Lainer & Aigner would rather remain loyal to their old, flawed church, which they highly appreciate for having tolerated them for so long.

Thus, "z'fleiß katholisch" has become a sometimes "cheeky," but mostly affectionate look back at a homogeneous Catholic culture that no longer exists today. It’s a kind of "Best of Church Cabaret" with old and new scenes and many songs, an evening full of heavenly punchlines, sinful satire, and heretical comedy. At the same time, it is also a call for a courageous departure, because nothing better than love has yet been invented. The sacrament of humor can be a great help on the way to the heavenly direction!