Upper Bavarian Farmers' Theatre in the Heftersaal by Lake Chiemsee
The Grassauer Bauernbühne is one of the most traditional amateur theatre groups in the Upper Bavarian Achental valley, located between Lake Chiemsee and Tegernsee. In the Heftersaal (also called Hefterstadel) — a historic barn stage in the market town of Grassau, district of Traunstein, state of Bavaria — the ensemble performs a new play each year in the Upper Bavarian dialect. The performances are multi-generational theatre that cultivates the local dialect, folk humour, and Bavarian storytelling tradition.
The 2026 play is titled »Boandlgeheimnis«. At its centre is the »Boandl« — the personified figure of Death in Bavarian folk tradition, made famous by »Brandner Kaspar« among others. In the play, the Boandl has died, triggering a catastrophe for Ripperl-Reni and Schnitter-Fesl, who are in charge of the afterlife administration. The play combines folk humour with thoughtful undertones about death, customs, and the deceased's continued existence — typical material of Upper Bavarian farmers' theatre.
The Bauernbühne performs the play in two blocks: a spring series in April with a premiere on Easter Sunday, and an autumn series in September/October. The evening performances begin at 7:30 PM, and the afternoon performances at 5:00 PM. The Heftersaal offers seating for around 200 spectators and is part of the Bavarian barn theatre heritage — a stage in a historic farm building with wooden beams and simple, yet atmospheric seating.
The market town of Grassau has around 7,000 inhabitants and is located in the southern district of Traunstein, at the transition from the Chiemgau region to the Achental valley. Grassau is known for its location on Lake Chiemsee, for the Achental valley as a hiking paradise, and for its active club structure — including, besides the Bauernbühne, a traditional costume association, a brass band, and a shooting guild. The folk theatre is a central element of Grassau's cultural identity and is complemented in the summer by the event series »Kulturleben Grassau«.
The Grassauer Bauernbühne presents the play »Boandlgeheimnis« in two performance blocks in 2026. The spring block begins on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, with the premiere at 7:30 PM in the Heftersaal Grassau. Further performances follow on April 6 (afternoon performance 5 PM), April 11 (7:30 PM), April 12 (5 PM), and April 17 (7:30 PM).
In the autumn, the Bauernbühne resumes the play with three additional performances: September 25 (7:30 PM), September 27 (5 PM), and October 3 (5 PM). The play about the deceased Boandl, Ripperl-Reni, and Schnitter-Fesl in the afterlife administration combines Upper Bavarian folk humour with thoughtful tones about life after death — a typical Bauernbühne constellation.
Tickets and reservations at grassauer-bauernbuehne.de or from the Grassau Tourist Information (Tel. 08641 697960).
Ticket prices per performance are available from the Grassau Tourist Information and the association's website. Rates typically range from €12–€18 for adults, with concessions for students. Reservations are recommended — the Heftersaal has around 200 seats and is regularly well-attended.
By train to Bernau am Chiemsee, then take a bus or taxi to Grassau (approx. 10 km). By car, take the A 8 (Munich–Salzburg), exit Bernau, then follow the B 305 towards Grassau. Parking is available at the Heftersaal and in the town centre.
Reservations can be made through the Grassauer Bauernbühne (grassauer-bauernbuehne.de) or the Grassau Tourist Information office (Tel. +49 8641 697960). Advance booking is recommended — performances are regularly well-attended.
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