True Story Nights (at Volkstheater)

TRUE STORY NIGHTS continues its 2026 run with another fabulous line-up of storytellers. These hugely popular, exciting storytelling evenings have been sold-out every month since 2022, so get your tickets early. Vienna Storytelling Collective brings you a different line up of performers each time, with surprising, moving, hilarious and sometimes shockingly true stories. Your host as ever is Turan Ali, producer of BBC drama/comedy, who welcomes you to a rollercoaster evening of gripping, high quality true stories – some from Vienna. Our ever-changing quartet of storytellers for each show includes novelists, comedians, radio, TV and film professionals, screenplay writers, performance poets, singer-songwriters and theatre-makers. It feels like being the priest at a confessional, hearing such personal revelations …. but you don’t need to keep all these a secret!
WHAT THE AUDIENCES HAVE SAID: “Exhilarating”, “A brilliant evening every time”, “Funny and very moving”, “Incredible stories!”
True stories guaranteed to astonish, amuse or amaze you with their honesty.
The line-up for our February 19th 2026 TRUE STORY NIGHTS is Turan Ali (host), actor/writer Rosa Braber, singer-songwriter Padraig McLoughlin and Austria stand-up Nathalie Rettenbacher.
Turan Ali has Austrian/Turkish parents and has produced, directed and written BBC Radio dramas, comedies and documentaries for 25+ years. He’s the host & producer of True Story Nights, an on-stage storyteller and a stand-up around Europe, including his solo shows, one of which Straight Talking is at the Volkstheater Rote Bar on 21st February 2026. His Queer Folks’ Tales LGBTQ+ storytelling shows are in their 5th year in Scotland. He won Creative Edinburgh’s Leadership Award 2024.
Rosa Braber is a Dutch actress, performer, director and writer based in Vienna. She works internationally combining theatre, performance and literature. She co-founded the Wolf Collective (Stella Award nominated) and she regularly directs productions for young audiences at the Wiener Konzerthaus. She explores the absurd within everyday reality and has recently completed her debut novel, Sorrento.
Padraig McLoughlin is an Irish singer-songwriter now living in Vienna. He is known for his indie folk-rock music project, Son of Loughlin. He accompanies himself on guitar and occasionally piano and has a captivating voice with themes of emotional honesty, unafraid to speak his truth. His recent releases include EP “From the Essence” (2024) and single "Derail" (2025) with more singles and an album due out in 2026.
Nathalie Rettenbacher grew up as the first born "son" on a farm in the Austrian alps, which doesn't get any direct sunlight in the winter, Nathalie now lives in the 10th district of Vienna. In her stand up and storytelling she speaks about her precarious work in the call centre, about her life as a trans woman and the everyday absurdity in the streets of Vienna.

TICKETS only from Volkstheater (box office or online).
https://www.volkstheater.at/produktion/1494643/true-story-nights/3045973/