Tellspiele Interlaken

The Tellspiele Interlaken (Engl. Tell Festival Interlaken, also referred to as Tell-Freilichtspiele Interlaken) is an open-air theatre that regularly stages Friedrich Schiller's drama "Wilhelm Tell" in the municipality of Matten near Interlaken in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. The tradition started with the first production in 1912 and since 1947 there have been performances every year. The ensemble consists of approximately 200 theatre amateurs, partly in speaking roles, partly acting as musicians, equestrians, or mutes. Animals like horses, goats or cows are also part of the performances.

Schiller's play "Wilhelm Tell" about the freedom fighter of the same name deals with the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy. Though the storyline is highly fictive, the play contributed significantly to the founding myth and the Swiss self-conception of independence and upstanding.

History

A local teacher in Matten near Interlaken, August Flückiger, initiated a performance of "Wilhelm Tell" by Friedrich Schiller with his pupils, cooperating with the "Dramatische Gesellschaft" (Engl. "Dramatic Society") in Interlaken. The first performance took place in 1912. In 1930, the Tellspielverein was established, an association that has been hosting the Tellspiele until today. From the beginning, the Tellspiele aimed to attract a wide audience and thereby expand tourism in the region. In addition, the association expected positive effects of the theatre activitites regarding education and morale of the volunteers.

From 1947 on, the Tellspiele Interlaken have been performing every year, mostly during the summer months.

Recent developments

After more than 100 years, the Tellspiele Interlaken are still active. Due to the covid pandemic, there was a break in 2020 and 2021. A novelty has been planned for the season 2024: For the first time, with a production of "Robin Hood", the Tellspiele stage another play than "Wilhelm Tell".

Venue

The Tell-Arena is situated at the outskirts of Matten and qualifies as the biggest landscape theatre in Switzerland. The scenery is the actual construction of a medieval village including a chapel and a defensive tower. The sheltered grand stand has space for 1500 spectators. Today the Tell-Arena is equipped with modern lighting engeneering and sound technology.