"Bernhard controversy"

Nicholas Ofczarek with stabs into the cultural bubble

Nicholas Ofczarek and Franui filled the Burgtheater to capacity, and they're coming to Gmunden in October.(Bild: APA/BURGTHEATER/TOMMY HETZEL)

Burgtheater actor Nicholas Ofczarek and the Musicbanda Franui are organizing an evening in Gmunden: Thomas Bernhard's controversial "Holzfällen" (Woodcutting) is mixed with Bruckner and Cage. In the "Krone" talk, Ofczarek discusses scandals, excitement, and his film career.

It only takes three names to emphasize the uniqueness of an event: Thomas Bernhard, Nicholas Ofczarek, and the Musicbanda Franui.

These "big three" will meet on Saturday, October 26, in Gmunden to create an unforgettable evening for the Salzkammergut Festival. They will focus on "Holzfällen," Bernhard's scandalous novel.

This evening full of wit and depth has already filled the Vienna Burgtheater to capacity—and yet it will still be new in Gmunden. Ofczarek sits in an armchair surrounded by musicians and recites Bernhard's lines, while the musicians of Franui celebrate musical pieces by Bruckner, Cage, and Mozart full of surprises.

(Bild: Nadine Poncioni Rusnov)

Krone: Where did you first encounter Thomas Bernhard's literature? At school or at the theater?
Nicholas Ofczarek: In 1988 , I became aware of him through the so-called scandal of "Heldenplatz" at the Burgtheater. I was also able to see the performance at the time. I was still in high school and, to be honest, I didn't understand the outrage.

Did you ever meet him in person?
Unfortunately not, he died in 1989 and I wasn't hired by the Burgtheater until 1994. But I would have liked to have met him.

Is it difficult or easy to read Bernhard?
Franui and I have developed a very unique form of performance for "Holzfällen." It's a hybrid of concert, reading, and play. Precision and nuance in language and music are extremely important. In my opinion, Bernhard was a rhythmic genius.

In 1984, Holzfällen caused a scandal because it caricatured the art scene and people recognized themselves in it. How will audiences react today? Will it still be a scandal?
That's never predictable. On the one hand, I find Bernhard's tirades of hatred always apt, and on the other hand, incredibly funny.

Is it okay to laugh when Bernhard is recited? Or is that considered taboo because it's great literature? How do you experience it?
When something really hits home, it's usually funny too. That's why people should and will laugh.

Please tell us what major projects you currently have in the works for the stage and film.
I have two film projects in the pipeline, which I'm unfortunately not allowed to talk about at the moment. But in 2025, I will definitely be appearing in an Amazon Prime series and a feature film.