NESTERVALS
DAS ALTE DORF
Kampnagel Internationales Sommerfestival, 11/08/2025 - 14/08/2025
Immersive Theatre
Director: Martin Finnland
Stage Design & Costume Design: Sophie Eidenberger
Text: Teresa Löfberg
Choreography: Jerôme Knols
Technical Direction: Lukas Saller
Production: Chiara Seide
With: Laura Athanasiadis, Rita Brandneulinger, Gisa Fellerer, Martin Finnland, Julia Fuchs, Mimi Hie, Romy Hrubeš, Jerôme Knols, Sabine Ladurner, Lisa Laner, Ela Lankes, Willy Mutzenpachner, Stefan Pauser, Julian Pichler, Lorenz Tröbinger, Alkis Vlassakakis, Martin Walkner, Christopher Wurmdobler
1964 in the "Old Village," an Austrian community that isolated itself from the outside world in the 19th century, just beyond the gates of Hamburg. Farmer's daughter Anna-Lisa is about to marry the farmhand Johannes when two uninvited guests arrive—carrying knowledge of a horrific crime committed in the Old Village.
The audience, in the role of wedding guests, travels back in time over the course of seven days, drawing ever closer to the source of the catastrophe and into a world that feels very current—shaped by love of homeland and xenophobia.
Visitors find themselves in the middle of the story and, as a group, will uncover their own version of the truth. In their search for the magic of the longed-for concept of “home,” they are confronted with profound questions about foreignness, violence, love, and guilt.
The audience, in the role of wedding guests, travels back in time over the course of seven days, drawing ever closer to the source of the catastrophe and into a world that feels very current—shaped by love of homeland and xenophobia.
Visitors find themselves in the middle of the story and, as a group, will uncover their own version of the truth. In their search for the magic of the longed-for concept of “home,” they are confronted with profound questions about foreignness, violence, love, and guilt.
Who do I believe? Whose side am I on? Do I dare to judge? How far, and where, am I willing to go? Do I speak up? Do I dare to ask questions?
How deeply one immerses into the story depends on how open one is—to the unfamiliar—and that’s not always easy. For in this small, secluded village, hatred of outsiders and self-loathing lie dangerously close together…
“The Old Village” explores the concept of “Heimat” (home) from multiple perspectives—critically, from both within and without. Traditions are embraced, mixed, and reinterpreted. As always, Nesterval breaks down gender roles and stereotypes, opening up the idea of “home” for a pluralistic society.In the end, at the very least, stands the utopia of a better world.
How deeply one immerses into the story depends on how open one is—to the unfamiliar—and that’s not always easy. For in this small, secluded village, hatred of outsiders and self-loathing lie dangerously close together…
“The Old Village” explores the concept of “Heimat” (home) from multiple perspectives—critically, from both within and without. Traditions are embraced, mixed, and reinterpreted. As always, Nesterval breaks down gender roles and stereotypes, opening up the idea of “home” for a pluralistic society.In the end, at the very least, stands the utopia of a better world.
