Andreas Vitasek and the OÖ-Concert Schrammeln - Mr. Karl

That's not who we are. Or is it? With "Der Herr Karl," one of the most influential works in Austrian theater history returns to the stage, to be experienced at forumKLOSTER on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Andreas Vitásek, one of the country's most distinguished cabaret artists and actors, interprets this timeless monologue faithfully anew. Accompanied by the Upper Austrian Concert-Schrammeln, this evening is guaranteed to be a special experience. The play by Helmut Qualtinger and Carl Merz, first premiered as a television monologue in 1961, sparked nationwide discussions at the time. With its unflinching portrayal of the so-called "average Austrian," the authors exposed the mechanisms of opportunism, conformity, and complicity in post-war Austria. To this day, "Der Herr Karl" is regarded as a sharp analysis of the Austrian soul—a mirror that we may not like to look into, but one that we must face repeatedly. For while times may change, some things remain the same. Or, to quote Brecht: "The womb still bears, from which that crawled." Andreas Vitásek succeeds in making this monologue vividly impactful once again. His interpretation bridges the historical context of the original with our present—touching, provocative, and highly relevant.

Upper Austrian Concert-Schrammeln
Since 1996, the old Viennese Schrammel music has been celebrated, ensuring that a unique piece of Austrian music history does not fade into oblivion. The musicians are also members of the Austrian Salonists, teachers in the Upper Austrian music school system, as well as soloists and chamber and orchestral musicians. They perform original Schrammel music by Johann and Josef Schrammel, Mikulas, Sioly, the Strauß family, Ziehrer, Strohmayer, and others.

Cast:
Peter Gillmayr: 1st Violin; Kathrin Lenzenwege: 2nd Violin; Andrej Serkov: Schrammel harmonica; Guntram Zauner: Contraguitar

Ö1 states: "In an interesting way, Vitásek has managed to create a bridge in this intense monologue about opportunism, survival skills, complicity, and conformity between historical events and the present, between the historical background against which the piece is set and today’s time."

Certainly, an evening that moves, shakes, and resonates.