About the work
A one-act local Posse with songs by Johann Nestroy, premiered on 20 November 1833 at the Theater an der Wien, with music by Adolf Müller senior. It reworked the 1826 Berlin vaudeville "Die Klatschereien" by Louis Angely, keeping the plot but transposing it into Viennese dialect and setting.
Plot
Five envious milliners gossip about the upcoming engagement of Marie, daughter of the inspector Wurm. The talkative tobacconist Tratschmiedl, played by Nestroy himself, spreads a rumour that Marie is not really Wurm's daughter, turning Gottlieb's aunt from Berlin against the match. When Marie's wealthy real father comes forward, the gossips quickly change their tune.
Cultural significance
Contemporary critics were divided on the play but unanimous in praising the cast; Nestroy's name only appeared on the playbill from the second performance onward. The work counts among Nestroy's early successes that established him as a Viennese stage author.