First Love Unplugged: Young Voices Share Their Raw Feelings on Stage

Theaterspektakel is presenting "Teenage Songbook of Love and Sex," a production that offers a raw and unfiltered look at first love through the eyes of young people. Unlike traditional artistic works that reflect on first love from a distance, this performance features individuals aged 18 to 25 who are currently experiencing these emotions themselves. Performers from Reykjavik and Zurich share their feelings on stage, singing about their lives with a candor that is both poignant and catchy.

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Schau wie sie ­gucken. Guck wie sie schauen.

The show captures the "not yet" phase of life, where self-efficacy is often limited by school or early career stages. Many of the songs express frustration with a lack of agency, feeling unheard by adults, and the anxieties that plague young people today. A representative study from Pro Juventute in 2026 indicated that 30 percent of young Swiss citizens worry about current wars, the future, and climate change, issues that are seldom given a platform.

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Another shitty day in my shitty life

This production aims to fill that void. Icelandic choreographer Ásrún Magnúsdóttir collaborated with teenagers in Reykjavik in 2019, gathering their thoughts and feelings. Working with director Alexander Roberts and composer Teitur Magnússon, these diverse emotions were transformed into a collection of songs. Some are lighthearted, while others are powerful outcries against the pressures of youth and the feeling of not being taken seriously. The music, described as "unplugged," is performed by the young individuals themselves, creating an authentic and resonant experience for the audience.

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Grow up! Grow up!