Thomas Bernhard's "Elisabeth II." offers a star turn in Gmunden

Thomas Bernhard's 1987 play "Elisabeth II. Keine Komödie," a rarely performed work, is currently being staged at the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden. The production, a coproduction with the Linz Landestheater, has been praised for its success, particularly for Sven-Eric Bechtolf's nearly two-hour, non-stop performance in the lead role.

Bechtolf portrays Herrenstein, a bitter, visually impaired industrialist confined to a wheelchair in his Viennese palace. He awaits guests from the Viennese upper bourgeoisie, all eager to catch a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II during her state visit from his balcony. Before they even arrive, Herrenstein unleashes his contempt on the assembled guests, whom he views as tiresome hangers-on, including clueless aristocrats and social democrats.

The play's setting, the recently renovated Stadttheater Gmunden, is fitting as Bernhard's work is filled with references to the Salzkammergut region. The author, who owned a farmhouse nearby, often frequented Gmunden's coffee houses. Bernhard's text criticizes the region, calling it a place that