History

Paris, 1972: MUMMENSCHANZ came into being thanks to the strong motivation of three young people who had lived an enriching period in the sixties and undergone a three-year experimental practice in different disciplines.

The trio offered an alternative not only to Pierrot lunaire (the classical white-faced storyteller) but both to the refined white-faced narrative pantomime (where all is left to the imagination of the audience) and to the expressiveness of the classical dance. So doing while using a modern device, a new mask playing was implemented, regardless of to the imbalance between the different trainings of the artists.

Followed ten years of experimental work and inventive research, and that downright passion for the comedy that got the young artists on stage first at home then abroad, later on Broadway, performing a play from 1977 till 1979. They had by then reached the threshold that renowed theatre groups cross.

Notwithstanding the death of Andres Bossard (25.03.1992), co-founder and beloved friend, MUMMENSCHANZ continued to tour the world.

The years that followed Andres' early departure saw the emergence of more complete programmes, the development of mask and playing techniques, and the broadening of the repertoire. More than a hundred new numbers came into life that have not stopped to be acclaimed as the most popular in the world.

The numerous requests for Mummenschanz shows and the particular requirements of the powerful American Theatre Trade Union prompted the world tour that lasted five years (1999-2004), and needed a two-fold cast. The original troupe played in Europe, while specially trained performers toured Northern and Southern America.

It will be soon four decades that MUMMENSCHANZ's non-verbal theatrical language has continued to develop independently of the contemporary mask-theatre quintessence. The 'stories' told by MUMMENSCHANZ are merely visual. No musical tracking, no stage set. Only objects, mask-objects; just bodies, object-bodies evolving against a black background thus composing a playful paralanguage that can be understood by all.

Aggregate a thick slice of passion, a big shot of Long Life Elixir, silver-threaded hair and you get Bernie Schürch and Floriana Frassetto's today portrayal. Co-founders, indefatigable globetrotters and globe connoisseurs, they perpetuate the legend of Mummenschanz. Not as Druid priests but as magicians - magicians of the silence that shades off the burden of our everyday life and brightens the heart. Definitely, "MUMMENSCHANZ is far more than a name." used to say Hans Jörg Tobler, founder and late chairman of the MUMMENSCHANZ Foundation.

Today is at once yesterday and tomorrow : as of autumn 2011, the Mummenschanz cast will recall the wonderful forty-year-old love story they have been living with you all.

Theatre work spanning forty matchless years. Sixty host-countries. Five continents run through over and over with renewed ardour.

2012 has just got to be the "landmark year" for MUMMENSCHANZ. So, "Champagne!" to drink a toast to the barefoot performers now that they are forty.

The most important MUMMENSCHANZ tours since 2005...

- Australia: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney

- Austria, Germany, Switzerland: several tours

- Brazil: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Sao Paulo

- Chile: Santiago

- China: Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou

- Colombia: Bogota

- Denmark: Copenhagen

- Ecuador: Quito

- Egypt: Alexandria, Cairo