The Last Days of Mankind (Adventure Bay Hall)

Written between 1914 and 1919, The Last Days of Mankind is Karl Kraus’s magnum opus, an examination of war, an enormous dramatic repository of his satirical themes and techniques. In the history of European drama this powerful pacifist play occupies a very special place. This award winning dramatised reading by actor Justus Neumann and musician Julius Schwing condenses this originally 10 night epic into a 70 minute virtuosic powerhouse performance.

“The action seems improbable, disjointed and heroless. The events shown in this play no matter how unlikley, actually took place. It is world war, it is my manifesto to mankind.” - Karl Kraus, 1918

DOORS at 3:30 PM

PERFORMANCE at 4:00 PM

PLEASE NOTE: this show is not recommended for children under 13 years.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

“Justus Neumann is an artist of the highest order. His work is regarded as one of the most important elements in the theatrical landscape of Vienna in the last few decades. His investigation into the “black clown” as performer, director and theatre maker has enabled Justus to develop and transform his work across different genres and diverse continents.”

Barrie Kosky, Artistic Director, Schauspielhaus Vienna, Austria

1987 - Justus migrated to Australia under the clause: “Persons possessing special creative talents” and settled on Bruny Island in Tasmania.

1976-2023 many engagements in film, TV, theater, School of fantasy

Awards

1982 Justus won the prize for Best Actor of the Year in the City of Vienna.

1995 + 96 - The Last Days of Mankind – Vienna, Austria and Theatreworks, St Kilda, Australia (nominated for Green Room award)

2004 – The Last Days of Mankind – presented with the generous support of the Salamanca Arts Centre, Tasmania, and The Melbourne Fringe Festival 2004, Winner of Best Actor of the festival

2015 Winning 6 “Errols” at the Tasmanian Theatre awards with “Alzheimer Symphony.

2023 Prestigious Silver Cross from the City of Vienna for life long contribution to the cultural landscape of Vienna.

Julius Schwing is an improvising guitarist and composer from Bruny Island, Lutruwita/Tasmania. Born in Vienna, he started playing guitar at age nine and since the age of thirteen has performed extensively throughout Australia and internationally. He has three times been nominated for the Freedman Jazz Fellowship and placed 3rd in the 2022 National Jazz Awards. In 2023 Julius was awarded a state luminary APRA/AMCOS Art Music Award. He has released 11 albums, 10 of which are on his own creative music label Isthmus Music. Julius’s distinct improvising style and compositions are heavily influenced by the dramatic natural surroundings of his home on Bruny Island and a life lived in constant contact with this environment.