Our History
The Early Years: The Zurich Comedy Club (1954–2019)
The story of ZEST begins over 70 years ago, in 1954, when our organisation was officially founded as the Zurich Comedy Club (ZCC). The group was born from a desire amongst Zurich's English-speaking community to come together and perform theatre, initially focusing on a repertoire of comedies, farces, and lighthearted dramas.
The ZCC quickly established itself as a vibrant cultural fixture, providing entertainment and a supportive community for performers, crew, and audiences from dozens of nations. Throughout its early decades, the ZCC built a strong reputation for producing high-quality, popular English-language productions. See our full archive of past shows. We are proud of our amateur tradition and the fact that we have always been 100% self-funded.
The Evolution to ZEST (2019–Present)
As the organisation matured and the ambitions of its members grew, so did the range of material we wished to stage. By 2019, the name "Zurich Comedy Club" no longer accurately reflected our diverse programming, which had expanded to include classic dramas, thrillers, and full-scale musicals.
This evolution led to the decision in 2019 to rebrand and adopt a new name that reflected our broader mission: ZEST – Zurich English-Speaking Theatre. The new name captures the spirit and energy we bring to the stage, whilst affirming our commitment to the full spectrum of English-language theatre arts.
The Legacy Continues
Whilst the name has changed, the core mission remains the same: to create high-quality, volunteer-driven English theatre, and to be a welcoming community for enthusiasts from all walks of life. Join the ZEST community today. From our founding in 1954 to our current identity as ZEST, we proudly continue to bring compelling stories to life on the Zurich stage. View our current productions and events.