JACQUELINE
        FRITSCHI-CORNAZ

Press: Emiliana Gutzwiller, Mittelland Zeitung September 17, 2004-2009
An encounter beyond time

Rothrist: Play “Ibicaba und Crevetten” closes commemorative ceremonies about emigration.

Two women, two lives in different epochs and their stories are at the center of “Ibicaba and Shrimps”.

The longing for home, love and protection are the main elements in the bitter sweet play “Ibicaba und Crevetten”. At the center of the story are two strong women. Barbara Simmen, who lived around 1850, meets her great great great grand daughter Esther Walker. Many things separate them but even more connects them. Above all is the role of the lover and the longing for constancy.
Barbara (Barbara Tellenbach-Göldi) has two illegitimate children, and works, like many, in the Glarner textile industry. Times are rough with hunger and sorrow a part of everyday life. Her whole being and longing is focused on emigrating to Ibicaba together with Peter, the father of her son. But instead of all four traveling to Brazil she has to leave her sick son behind with Peter, who is married, and starts building a new life together with her daughter.

Esther (Jacqueline Fritschi-Cornaz) is a woman of today – successful in her job – stranded in her private life. Her liaison with a married man frustrates her. In the middle of this crisis, the unfulfilling love, Barbara steps into the life of Esther. She asks her to help her with the search of her son’s grave that she left behind. The unusual encounter with a person long dead is first overwhelming for Esther. But then she opens herself up to it and starts to research her ancestors. While Esther helps Barbara to find peace, she finds her own way.

The different ways of life of the two women and the comedy of situations coming out of overcoming a time difference from 1850 to modern time makes one smile as well as encourages contemplation. This was a well acted piece and a worthy conclusion to the commemorative ceremonies of the Rothrist emigration 150 years ago. On February 27th 1855 305 men, women and children had to leave their homeland for America. It was the biggest organized emigration from an Aargau community. This event was remembered with a special exhibition and different happenings. Congruent to the festivities a monument to the emigrants was built on the square at the “Rössli” to serve as a reminder. The names of the 305 emigrants can also be found on the monument.

Authors: Jacqueline Fritschi-Cornaz and Barbara Tellenbach-Göldi
Script editor: Paul Steinmann
Director: Barbara Schneider
Esther Walker: Jacqueline Fritschi-Cornaz
Barbara Simmen: Barbara Tellenbach-Göldi
Technician: Felix Tellenbach
Costume: Regula Mattmüller

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