The productions
'An entertainment which reflects the grim present and is yet delightfully informed with traditional Viennese gaiety' (20)
The Laterndl was founded as an assertion of Austrian cultural identity at a time when Austria had been struck from the political map. The review in The Times of the first show in 1939 recognised the Viennese flavour of the entertainent.
The Laterndl and its productions were closely circumscribed by political events. From an initial programme of political cabaret, it shifted to adopt a repertoire of international plays, before reverting to Austrian authors.
There were several reasons for this shift: the reality of war and the news about the mass killings of Jewish communities were too gruesome for any form of cabaret; the main writers focused on other activities and new actors wanted meatier roles. Choosing longer plays by established authors also allowed the Laterndl to side-step political differences.
Cabaret did not entirely disappear from the Laterndl stage but from 1943 onwards any cabaret shows were relegated to the afternoon and the emphasis was on full-length plays.
'It is very clear to me that the ending needs to be changed!' (21)
There is no record of the discussions that took place within the artistic team concerning how material for the productions was selected and created. However, some insight into the production process is offered by letters in the archives from Königsgarten to Miller. The letters point to the collaborative nature of the creative process at the theatre. Writers would often share new ideas and receive critical feedback from Miller and each other before they were developed into scripts. Sources of inspiration ranged from the literary and historical such as Goethe’s Des Epimenides Erwachen to the contemporary and popular such as Disney’s Fantasia.
Many people had more than one role within productions. Martin Miller, originally an actor, wrote monologues and acted in and directed many of the first shows; Rudolf Spitz, originally a writer, also translated and acted and Paul Knepler arranged music, wrote, acted and sold tickets at the box office.