Faschingsrevue der Braunsbergbühne Lana

The Lana Carnival Revue

The Faschingsrevue der Braunsbergbühne Lana is the traditional satirical Carnival revue organised by the amateur theatre company Braunsbergbühne Lana, which has been active in the municipality of Lana (Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol) since 1973. Every year, during the Carnival season, the company transforms its hall on Mariahilfstraße into a small cabaret theatre for a show dedicated entirely to humour and satire.

A show of acting, music, and song

The Faschingsrevue formula combines Schauspiel, Musik und Gesang (acting, music, and singing): a succession of sketches, comic monologues, and musical numbers that address current topics with a light touch. At the heart of the show are Dorftratsch (village gossip) and politische Seitenhiebe (jabs at local and regional politics). The stated goal is to give the audience what they call "Bauchschmerzen vor Lachen"—stomach aches from laughing.

The company and artists

The production is directed by Andy Geier, a well-known figure in South Tyrolean amateur theatre. The musical side features the collaboration of the Singgruppe Madlain choir under the musical direction of Birgit Laimer, who accompany the actors and actresses of the Braunsbergbühne in a blend of spoken scenes and musical numbers. The show is performed in German, reflecting the bilingual nature of the South Tyrolean territory.

A South Tyrolean Carnival tradition

Carnival revues (Faschingsrevue) are part of South Tyrol's popular culture, where numerous village companies offer annual comedy shows based on current events. In Lana, the Braunsbergbühne is one of the longest-running and most popular groups: the Faschingsrevue is now a permanent fixture in the town's winter calendar, attracting a loyal audience that often sells out the scheduled performances.

Lana, the heart of the Burgraviato

The show is held in Lana, an important centre in the Burgraviato area just a few kilometres from Merano, in the province of Bolzano. The municipality of Lana, known for its orchards and the vibrant cultural life of its associations, offers a collective leisure opportunity during this period, between the theatre company's performances and other local Carnival initiatives, such as the traditional Radlfasching.