Wandertruppen#

Itinerant Theatre Troupes, form of theatre from the early days of professional theatre in Europe; the first itinerant theatre troupes in Austria were Commedia dell´arte troupes and the English Comedians. They also took on German members from the beginning of the 17th century and began to use the German language; gradually Austrian itinerant theatre troupes emerged ("Inspruggische (i.e. Innsbruck) Comoedianten"). The troupes performed a limited repertory, mainly plays from the English, French, Italian and Spanish Renaissance and Baroque theatres, often in distorted translations, and in a drastic style of presentation, with a rich variety of costumes. The unstable financial situation of the itinerant theatre troupes made them increasingly look for opportunities to perform at court and in regular theatres. In 1711 J. A. Stranitzky settled down as the first director of an itinerant theatre troupe in the Vienna Kaerntnertortheater (Altwiener Volkstheater); in the 18th century efforts were made to improve artistic and social conditions (in 1753 K. Ekhof founded the first acting academy; "Nationaltheater" movement). Itinerant theatre troupes existed until the end of the 19th century, in Bohemia even until after World War II. Today´s touring theatre troupes cannot be regarded as true representatives of the traditional itinerant theatre.

Works#