A theatre evening between gourmet indulgence and dramatic intensity. Announcement for 2027!!!
On Friday, 15 January 2027, Mesnerhaus becomes a stage. Viennese actress Elena Schwarz presents her solo programme “Der Buhle Wert” – an evening that gets under your skin.
The beloved in all her facets
Sinner and seductress, abandoned and spurned, guilty and poisoner – the figure of the beloved runs through the entire history of literature. Elena Schwarz places her in a glaring red light, allowing famous female monologues to step out of their dramatic context. Gretchen’s desperate pleading, Ophelia’s madness – they merge with poems, ballads and biblical passages into a liturgically expansive evening on red velvet.
Elena Schwarz is accompanied by musician Maksim Franke. Together they guide the audience through desire and loss, brush against guilt like silk and tear open wounds that smell sweet. An evening between confession and the ecstatic urge to balance as close to the edge as possible.
Elena Schwarz – actress, director, Viennese Piaf
Born in Vienna in 1988, Elena Schwarz completed her acting studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. She attracted attention early on: at the Meeting of German-Speaking Acting Students, she received the Young Talent Award for “outstanding artistic achievements”. Formative for her work was training in directing with none other than Werner Herzog.
In 2015, she founded the “glashaus Kollektiv”, with which she realises theatre and film projects as a director as well. She regularly tours with her solo performances and live audio dramas – adapting famous literary works such as “Dracula”, “Frankenstein” or “Alice in Wonderland” and playing all the roles herself.
She is also gaining growing recognition as the “Viennese Piaf” – attributed to her singing evening “Piaf – But Also Viennese!”. Since May 2025, she has been performing alongside Philipp Hochmair in his “Jedermann Reloaded” as Paramour, Dinner Guest and Death.
Her list of engagements reads impressively: Burgtheater, Prinzregententheater Munich, Schauspielhaus Graz, Wiener Lustspielhaus, Wolkenturm Grafenegg, Schloss Hellbrunn – plus appearances on ORF, ZDF, ARD and on cinema screens and film festivals worldwide.
Elena lives in Vienna and Lower Austria. In her spare time, she enjoys being a dark tourist and self-proclaimed nerd.
An exclusive evening at Mesnerhaus
Mesnerhaus provides the perfect setting for this special evening. Gourmet cuisine meets great acting – in an intimate setting for only around 40 guests.
An evening that combines what Mesnerhaus stands for: culinary excellence and unforgettable experiences.
Friday, 15 January 2027
Strictly limited places – reservation required.
Elena Schwarz
