New production of «THE MATTERHORN STORY»

Ten years after its world premiere, Livia Anne Richard's historic success ‘THE MATTERHORN STORY’ returns to Europe's highest open-air stage this summer. Exactly 160 years after the first ascent of the Matterhorn, audiences can look forward to a new production of this Swiss story that is both emotional and universally appealing. The play will once again be performed on the Riffelberg - at 2,582 metres above sea level - against a gigantic and absolutely unique natural backdrop: the Matterhorn.

New production with live piano music

In her work, Bernese author and director Livia Anne Richard sheds light on the previously little-known aspects of these dramatic events: She shines a light on the true heroes. Far from being in the limelight at the time, they were vilified instead. Based on fact, the play thrilled audiences generated huge international media coverage in summer 2015 – on the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn.

For the 2025 production, Richard has reworked ‘THE MATTERHORN STORY’ but ‘without changing the DNA of the true story’, she says. The audience can look forward to new characters and a congenial musical concept created by the Zermatt band ‘Wintershome’ and the young Bernese pianist Elia Gasser. He will accompany the play live every evening

There is also a change to the stage direction: for the first time, Bernese director Lilian Naef is acting as co-director in a production of Richard's play.

Ensemble featuring local Valais people

A total of 29 performers take to the stage. Most of them come from Zermatt or the Upper Valais region. For David Taugwalder and Pino Mazzone, their stage work is more than just acting; it revisits their own family history: both are directly related to their characters and play the roles of Taugwalder's son and father in the play. The latter was accused of causing the accident that claimed four lives by Edward Whymper, who went down in history as the first person to climb the mountain.

The most familiar face on stage is Valais actor Dani Mangisch, who will be seen in a double role as Reverend Charles Hudson and mountain guide Elmar.

Experience theatre up close

The premiere will take place on Friday, 27 June 2025. This will be followed by 31 performances until the run finishes on 23 August. The auditorium seats 448 and its manageable size allows for an intimate theatre experience with close proximity to the action.