The Tellspiele at the Ruegen theatre is one of the oldest and largest open-air theatrical productions in Europe, staging Friedrich Schiller's drama about the Swiss national hero each summer since 1912. The cast numbers close to 200 performers, most of them local volunteers alongside a core of professional actors, and the performances run in the original German with a hillside natural amphitheatre as the stage. The Alps provide the backdrop.
Performances run from mid-June to early September, usually on weekend evenings and some weekday nights. The theatre is on the northern outskirts of Interlaken, about fifteen minutes on foot from the town centre. Bring warm layers regardless of the weather forecast — evenings in the mountains turn cool quickly, and the performance runs for over two hours. Tickets sell out well in advance for peak summer dates.