The Trip to Panama

Janosch

Play for children ages 5 and up

Premiere: September 20, 2025 / Rehearsal Center Aigen

Synopsis

The little tiger and the little bear are happy in their beautiful home. They like to cook and go fishing together. One day, the little bear fishes a box labelled “Panama” from the river. It has the most wonderful scent of bananas! They both know it at once: Panama is the land of their dreams. They build a signpost and depart for Panama. Of course, the tiger duck is coming with them. They meet many animals and ask them for directions, and they all point to the left. Finally, the little tiger and the little bear have reached their dream destination. But somehow, Panama seems very familiar. They have arrived in the most beautiful of all places: their home.

The little bear and the little tiger learn about the value and importance of friendship, and after an exciting trip, they rediscover their love for their home.

With the tiger duck, German illustrator and author Janosch (*1931) created an iconic character that has accompanied generations of children. His book “The Trip to Panama” (“Oh, wie schön ist Panama”) was published in 1978. It won the German Youth Literature Award and has become a staple on children’s bookshelves.

This play will be the first opportunity for Elisabeth Mackner to show her imaginative directorial style at the Salzburg State Theatre.