What is "Shakespeare in Love" about?
"On this stage, I have been free..."
At the time when Elizabeth I rules England, and London is filled with theatre companies competing for her attention, Viola de Lesseps, a bright noblewoman, falls in love with Shakespeare's writing and takes the chance to go undercover as a man so that she can act in his new play!
The story that follows promises comedy, drama, romance, and a rebellious spirit as talented actors bring this brilliant play to life.
Shakespeare is out of ideas, out of love, and in desperate need of a muse. Viola de Lesseps yearns for the stage, but as a woman her dream is forbidden. When fate throws them together, romance blossoms, and it seems all their dreams are about to come true.
But the course of true love never did run smooth…
We Are Merely Players - The Village Player's short play festival is just around the corner, with two evenings of drama, laughter, and unforgettable performances. Over two nights, you can enjoy three short plays. And The Village Players are offering one lucky knowitall.ch reader a chance to win a pair of tickets to the evening of your choice.
“Note to Sixth-Grade Self” by Julie Orringer. Directed by Tristan Pannatier
Synopsis: A 12-year-old girl is going through a difficult time at school, where she is rejected by her classmates. Fortunately, she can count on an unexpected help: her adult “self,” who guides her through time. Together, can they change the course of events?
- Bríd Corrigan
- Charlotte Berns
- Fleur Krüger
- Joséphine Tendon
“The Breakdown” by A. Dürrenmatt. Directed by Alessio Siviglia
Synopsis: A salesperson’s car breaks down and is forced to take refuge in the villa of a former judge. The play is a dark comedy, in which other guests arrive, and a trial takes place. The line between pretend and real becomes blurry.
- John Holmes
- Zoe Marsaly
- Bríd Corrigan
- Liz Watson
- Nicolas Delpy
- Kiarash Jamshidi
- Jamie Thompson
All photos courtesy of Catherine Nelson-Pollard
Carnaval is a tradition in most of Switzerland's cantons. Below are noteworthy Vaud, Valais, Fribourg or other Swiss hotspots with elaborate parades. Most will be wearing masks and have rituals familiar with each area. Of course there are the usual festive findings including food, drink, local specialties and crafts, Guggenmusik (costumed brass bands). Oh, and lots and lots of confetti!
In general, Carnival covers the period between Epiphany early January and Shrove Tuesday (between 27 February and 4 March 2025). Normally, the first day is known as Jeudi Gras (“Fat Thursday”) and the last day as Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”), however many have more than one Mardi Gras!
As Easter is tied to the moon cycle (it's always the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the spring equinox), the date for Mardi Gras is also tied to Easter.
We have listed a few cities with their dates in order of start date here:
SAINTE-CROIX & LES RASSES, VD
14-16 February 2025
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Every February, the town of Sainte-Croix on the French-Swiss border in the Jura organizes a well-known carnival.
Thousands of visitors, the inhabitants of Sainte-Croix and the whole region of Verdun-les-Bains flock to the carnival to celebrate a festive weekend to the sound of the Guggenmusiks. A giant meal for 1,000 people is offered to the public on the Friday night in the canteen on the festival ground. On the Saturday afternoon there is the traditional children’s ball and in the evening a torchlight procession. On the Sunday morning there is an aperitif concert, and in the afternoon the humorous floats and the Guggenmusiks take over the streets of the town for the great parade.
CRANS-MONTANA, VS
21 February 2025
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As a family, dress up in your best disguises for this carnival day! The little ones are invited to make a mask during a Carnival workshop at the library. The Guggen Gugg'Dragons will then launch the procession with music at the Place des Charmettes.
BULLE, FR
21-23 February 2025
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The Bulle Carnival is a local tradition that involves a large number of children every year.
For more than 100 years, the town of Bulle vibrates during Carnival. To the sound of the Guggens, many animations are organised inside and out. To entertain young and old, dressed up or not.
Dressed in their finest costumes, up to 800 children take part in the grand parade on Saturday. This colourful and festive moment ends with the burning of the Winter Man. The real highlight of the festival, which traditionally marks the end of winter.
On Sunday afternoon there is a free magic show for all the family at the Town Hall. Proof that children are at the heart of the Bulle Carnival.
ESTAVAYER, FR
21-23 February 2025
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Every year, announcing the Carnival of Estavayer, the traditional Hanging of the Perch starts with a procession that leaves the Place du Midi and, to the sound of the local guggenmusik, La Staviacouac, leads the giant papier-mâché fish in front of the tower of the Dominican Sisters, where a bar opens for this day as well as for the carnival (Le Socabar). There, tea and mulled wine are offered to the population. Afterwards, a party with DJ's extends the event, in a carnival atmosphere, until late at night.
Filmfest 2024 © Vincent Guignet
As German is the most spoken language in Switzerland and all children attending schools in the Swiss Education System are taught it, it makes perfect sense for German-speaking films to have their own festival. FILMFEST returns to the Casino de Montbenon in Lausanne for its 7th edition from 28-31 January 2025. Comprising a school program in the canton of Vaud and a program for the public, this year's festival expands its line-up to include seven films, six of which will be premièred in Romandie, in the presence of distinguished guests, filmmakers, and producers.
Initially aimed at age 15-19 students, this year FILMFEST is expanding its scope to include films to include the 12-15 age group as well. More than 4,000 students are expected from Yverdon-les-Bains to Vevey, via Lausanne, to discover the German language in a new light.
Of course, adults and the general public are more than welcome and a special program (see bottom of article) has been established. Check out our competition to win a ticket!
We caught up with Eric Flury, the president of FILMFEST, the German Film Festival held in Lausanne.
This winter leisure space welcomes the public on Quai Gustave-Ador between 22 January and 6 April 2025. Sports and wellness activities are offered during the winter.
At La Banquise, three distinct areas are proposed: sports, wellness, and refreshment with a view of Lake Geneva to take your breath away!
The sports zone to discover Nordic sports
You can try axe throwing for free in 5 to 10 minute sessions, depending on the number of people and the waiting time; or you can practice mattcurling.
A wellness area with saunas
- three wood-fired saunas
- showers fed by lake water
- changing rooms with lockers
