My first time ... at the theatre on the track

I always find my way from Zurich to Winterthur. The Eulach city has a lot to offer culturally. But the "Theater am Gleis", although it has been an indispensable part of Winterthur's cultural scene for over 45 years, has so far been below my attention radar. "That has to change," I think and decide to pay a visit.

The programme includes "Cashflow" by Badumts & Stupid Lovers. Doesn't mean anything to me. I do some research. Two duos who have dedicated themselves to improvisational theatre. Miro Hintermüller and This Wachter, the local heroes, and Nicole Erichsen and Gunter Lösel from Germany. "Thank you" I think, "improv theatre"! Unsuspectingly, I associate it with well-intentioned workshops and performative self-help groups. As it turns out: a mistake - and a big one.

In the style of a revue, the four of them weave together various fragments on stage, some staged, others freely improvised, to create a piece full of heart-warming comedy and mischievous, loving interaction with the audience, accompanied by music from Daniel Wirth. Money is the theme. Its origin. Its meaning. Its effects. Great and at the same time clever entertainment. I'm probably not the only one who thinks so, because the atmosphere is great and the applause enormous.

Enraptured and satisfied, I savour the sparkling wine at the opening night aperitif after the performance and take the opportunity to look around the building. A fine theatre. The large stage offers space to let off steam and the audience gallery seats 120 people. The foyer with bar and rehearsal room is also spacious, unobtrusively pretty and creates a cosy atmosphere.

I clink glasses with manager Martina Müller, who charmingly puts up with my questions and answers them with a smile: in 1979, an association was founded out of the independent cultural scene with a focus on children's theatre and cabaret, which set up shop in an old factory behind the railway tracks. Hence the name. Almost ten years later, the factory was demolished. The TaG moved around, played in tents, resided for a while in the Loge am Graben and finally found its current home in the Milchverband building in 1997, fittingly close to the train station again.

The city's independent scene continues to experiment here and presents theatre, dance, concerts and children's programmes. The organisational structure of the theatre is exciting. A small number of permanent employees in management, administration and technology are contrasted with dozens of volunteers who are responsible for the programme, bar and events in various groups. Decisions are made collectively.

Here, voluntary work is still held in honour, participation is actually lived and artistic intelligence is encouraged. The result: a welcoming theatre with an amazing programme. And anyone who would like to see Badumts & Stupid Lovers will have another opportunity to do so on 3 March under the title "Theatersport".