Heroes' Square

Following the successful production of Café Schindler, director Jessica Glause turns her attention to another chapter in Austrian (theater) history. In early 2026, she will examine THE scandalous play from 1988 for its relevance today and its political references: anti-Semitism, trauma, expulsion, and right-wing populism. Where do we stand in Austria and Europe today?

"What writers write / is nothing compared to reality..."
Thomas Bernhard

In his last play, Thomas Bernhard knew exactly how to portray the political, moral, and intellectual conditions in such a way that we, the audience, are left with laughter stuck in our throats. The great artistry of this comedy certainly lies in its poetic, musical language, its legendary exaggerations, and its biting humor. Commissioned for the anniversary year 1988 (50 years since the Anschluss) and the 100th anniversary of the Vienna Burgtheater, Heldenplatz caused a scandal even before its premiere, and suddenly the whole of Austria became a theater stage:

"What remains for this poor, immature people / is nothing but the theater / Austria itself is nothing but a stage."
Thomas Bernhard

The fate of Josef Schuster, who was expelled from Oxford by the Nazis for being Jewish, returned to Vienna, and was driven to suicide by his disillusionment with Austrian society, which remained steeped in anti-Semitism and undemocratic attitudes, preoccupied the whole of Austria – from the Federal President to taxi drivers.

At the Tyrolean State Theater, musician Mira Lu Kovacs skillfully weaves piano sounds, beats, and romantic melodies into music that is sometimes minimalist, sometimes powerfully breaking out of the pattern to inscribe itself into the production. A citizens' choir will explore the precise areas of tension that shape our present day with new texts by Austrian author Elias Hirschl.