Lainer & Aigner: "diligently Catholic"

Cabaret "z'fleiß katholisch" with Günther Lainer and 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 not only conquered cabaret stages but also parish halls. Even some clergymen (with or without a girlfriend) have enjoyed it. Why, after two "secular programs," another 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 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 friendly, helpful person. The poor dog doesn’t care whether the savior in need calls his God Allah or Yahweh, Huitzilopochtli, or nothing at all. The main thing is that he helps. The problem lies more with those who constantly spout pious sayings to elevate themselves. Like the swarm of evangelical, filthy rich televangelists who roll their eyes in ecstasy before the cameras to curry favor with the horror clown in the White House. Lainer & Aigner prefer to remain loyal to their old, flawed church, for which they are grateful for having tolerated them for so long. Thus, "z'fleiß katholisch" has become a sometimes "cheeky," but mostly loving look back at a homogeneous Catholic culture that no longer exists today. 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, as nothing better than love has yet been invented. The sacrament of humor can be a great help in this, always on the way towards the heavenly direction! Image credits: Volker Weihbold