A Late Night Variety Show at an inappropriate time?

Over the last 30+ years, the English Theatre Group of Zug (ETGZ) has been producing shows and musicals that appeal to both ex-pats and locals alike. Notable recent popular shows have included “Oliver!”, “Chess”, “The Sound of Music” and “The importance of being Earnest”.  The last full show to be produced was “The Secret Garden”, performed in Unteraegeri in November 2018.

Following a quieter year in 2019, in which a number of long-serving committee members handed over the baton to a younger generation, a new show was planned for November that would showcase numbers from more recent musicals, such as “Waitress” and “Lala Land”. But no sooner had a cast for “6300” been put together in March 2020, everything was turned upside down by the Covid pandemic. With the resultant series of lockdowns and audience restrictions, only three rehearsals were able to take place, and the show had to be regretfully abandoned. Plans for a shortened version also became unviable.

But the young producers weren’t ready to give up just like that. They therefore came up with the idea of a variety show, with songs and sketches that only involved a small number of people each, who would then be able to rehearse in the smaller groups permitted under the restrictions. It was also decided to aim for a show in early December, allowing some Christmas spirit to be built into the show.  Auditions could only be carried out on line, however, but invitations were sent out in March, and there was a good response.

A number of would-be performers were brave enough to makes home videos of their proposed acts on their phones and submit them to the producers. A international cast with performers from all age groups, ranging from 16 to 73,  was thereby put together, and a Kick-off meeting was arranged in June, subject to a Covid certificate.

The ensemble rehearse their big finish
Naz Ozturk puts heart and soul into her number
The Production Team: From left: Peter Ramsay, Lizette Ewald (co-directors) and musical director Ulrich Nyffleler
Photos: ETGZ

Rehearsals initially took place in small groups, but as the restrictions were slowly lifted, it became possible to get the whole cast of 15 people, plus backstage staff, together, and to introduce some ensemble pieces to knit the show together. The level of enthusiasm was high as the show took shape. Despite some set-backs - and in particular 2 cast members contracting Covid – they’re all now ready to go, and the first show takes place on Thursday, 9^th December in the Burgbachsaal in Zug. The show includes musical numbers, both old and new, with a live band, along with light-hearted sketches, and has a distinct Christmas theme. They are all easily understandable for both English and German speakers.

The Inappropriately Early Late Night Variety Show
The overall management of the show is in the hands of the co-directors, Peter Ramsay and Lizette Ewald, who will also perform together with the other cast members, and Ulrich Nyffeler as the Musical Director, who has organised a 5-piece band of talented young musicians. They hope that this show will shed a little light and happiness in an otherwise worrying time for everyone.  

The show will take place at the Burgbachsaal in Zug for one weekend only on the following dates:

Thursday, 9 December 2021        from 7.30 p.m.
Friday, 10 December 2021            from 7.30 p.m.

Saturday, 11 December 2021       from 3.00 p.m.
Saturday, 11 December 2021       from 7.30 p.m.

The doors and the bar will open one hour before each performance.

All members of the audience over 16 years of age must provide a Covid certificate and an identity document.
According to the latest measures of the Federal Government, members of the audience should have a face mask with them. The latest Covid requirements will be strictly followed.

Tickets for the show can be purchased from the ETGZ website www.etgz.ch or from Eventfrog www.eventfrog.ch