The rock castle (Bad Segeberg 1969)
| Data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The rock castle |
| Genus: | Outdoor play |
| Original language: | German |
| Author: | Wulf Leisner |
| Literary source: | Karl May : The rock castle |
| Publishing year: | 1969 |
| Premiere: | 5th July 1969 |
| Place of premiere: | Kalkberg Stadium , Bad Segeberg |
| Place and time of the action: | Mexico, late 19th century |
| Director of the premiere | Wulf Leisner |
| people | |
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The open-air play Die Felsenburg, based on the novel of the same name by Karl May , was written by Wulf Leisner in 1969 as a play for open-air stages and premiered on July 5, 1969 under his direction in the Kalkberg Stadium in Bad Segeberg as part of the Karl May Festival .
content
The piece is set in Sonora , the most northwestern state of the Republic of Mexico , at the end of the sixties of the last century . The rock castle in the mountains of the Mexican Sonoran Desert holds a secret that is said to be ruin for a trek of German emigrants. Old Shatterhand takes on together with Winnetou the fight against the criminal Harry Melton and his brother Thomas . The unscrupulous Mormon Harry Melton uses the contract to purchase land for the Mormons for personal gain.
First part: A valley on the lower Rio Sonora surrounded by high rock walls
- The Yuma arrive at the agreed meeting point at the White Rock: Bastiano, a mestizo, brought the Yuma to the valley of the White Mountain. There they want to meet pale faces who have a profitable business to offer them.
- The Mormons Harry and Thomas Melton appear: They are after the Hacienda del Arroyo and offer a lot of money for it. The owner doesn't want to sell the hacienda. Therefore the hacienda is to be devastated with the help of the Indians. The Yuma withdraw for advice. The chief son Gaty-ya and Falkenfeder pursue the tracks of enemy scouts.
- The Mormon brothers talk about their motives: Harry has apparently idealistic reasons: He wants land for his fellow believers, Thomas just smells a business. He hated his brother's hypocrisy and reminded him of unpleasant things: Harry was once chased away as a preacher with disgrace and shame. The brothers' plan: Thomas should lure a German emigrant trek into the trap.
- After consultation, the Yuma want to accept the lucrative offer to raid the hacienda. Harry presents the further plans for the attack on the Germans and names one condition: “You bring them to the rock castle, tied up. What happens then is my business. "
- Thomas thinks they are getting involved in a damn dangerous thing and takes on the task of stopping the trek in the ravine and making sure that the weapons stay in the car.
- The (still unnamed) chief son of the Mimbreños and his sister Silbertaube meet the chief son of the Yuma and Falkenfeder. Gaty-ya wants to shoot the siblings, even though they are unarmed and carry the sacred earth to the wigwams of their tribe. A rider appears and shoots Gaty-ya in the arm. The gallops away. The rider fends off Falkenfeather's attacks. The two young people of the Mimbreños say thank you. Silver dove presents him with a precious green stone . Falcon Feather awakens from his impotence and wishes for death. The rider gives him his life and asks for his friendship. He picks up the eagle feather and hands it to Falkenfeder: "Wear the chief's feather: you haven't lost it, because Falkenfeder fought with Old Shatterhand." Falkenfeder and Shatterhand smoke the peace pipe. Shatterhand assures Silver Dove that she will see him again at the Mimbreños wigwams together with Winnetou, the chief of the Apaches .
- Three western men appear: Sebastian Droll, Pitt Holbers and Dick Hammerdull. Droll is small and plump, his fur-trimmed cape and a beret-like cap have earned him the nickname "Aunt Droll" in the West . Pitt Holbers is very long and lean in contrast to Dick Hammerdull, whose shape resembles a small beer barrel. Their western clothing is worn, on their heads they wear felt hats, the original shape of which is barely recognizable. While Pitt speaks in a high, nasal tone, Dick stutters a little. Droll speaks an unadulterated Saxon . Old Shatterhand emerges from hiding with the two young people. After the welcome, Droll reports on his work as a detective for the government. Because emigrants keep disappearing in the Sonoran area. And always the lane leading up to the rock castle Almaden alto, the old mercury - mine in the mountains. Shatterhand wants to join the three western men and asks the chief's son to deliver a message to Winnetou.
- The emigrant trek appears under the leadership of Mr. Weller alias Thomas Melton and takes a rest: The emigrants, men, women and children, sit in individual groups around the fire. A lively camp hustle and bustle begins. The horses are fed, kettles are brought to the fire, etc. The group around Friedrich Wolf is bent over a map, there is heated and excited debate. There is also a dispute between Harry Melton and Don Pruchillo over the purchase price of the hacienda.
- Shatterhand, Silver Dove, Pitt, Dick and Droll emerge from their hiding place. Their sudden appearance causes great confusion among the emigrants. Mr. Weller alias Thomas Melton is exposed as a signal transmitter for an Indian attack and arrested and bound by Droll. Shatterhand asks Silver Dove to ride after her brother: "The chief of the Apaches must find out what is happening here." Thomas Melton, whose fetters have been secretly cut by Harry Melton, lunges at Shatterhand with a raised knife. He knocks him to the ground.
- After two signal shots from Harry M., the Yuma shouts of war can be heard from all sides. The group around Shatterhand take cover behind the rocks, while the emigrants use their wagons as cover. Jumping from rock to rock, the Yuma warriors storm into the valley. Shots rang out from all sides and were returned by Shatterhand, his group and the emigrants. Vete-ya, the chief of the Yuma, calls on the pale faces to surrender. He accuses Shatterhand of seriously injuring his son Gaty-ya and threatens him with the torture stake .
- Differences in treatment become apparent: Shatterhand and his people are handcuffed. One person protests vehemently: Don Timoteo Pruchillo, the cousin of the governor of Ures . The Melton brothers stay free and taunt Shatterhand. Harry Melton reveals his fanaticism: “God will come on a trail of fire, smoke and blood! So it is revealed. We have been driven from Navon and the day will come when Utah and the great Salt Lake City will fall into the hands of the unholy. I am called to found the new kingdom! Here in the south, in the vast expanses of Mexico, the realm of the saints of the last days will arise. ”Shatterhand thinks he is a fool or a criminal. Harry M. asks for Pruchillo's release, which he is granted.
- A large, dark cloud of smoke is visible behind the rocks: the hacienda is on fire! Two Yuma warriors bring the bound steward Adolfo before him. After removing the shackles, he reports: “Jose, Fernandez and Pedro are dead, they have been scalped . The hacienda is devastated. The houses are on fire. ”Harry makes his offer: 2,000 pesos for the land of the hacienda. The emigrants, hired for work on the hacienda, are now supposed to work in the mountains, in Almaden alto, a mercury mine. For the men, women and children it is as good as a death sentence. Nobody goes into these death tunnels voluntarily. They should be led there tied up.
- The Indians advise which torments the whites should suffer on the torture stake. A fire breaks out. The elders of the warriors sit around the fire with Vete-ya. The other warriors form a wide semicircle. Pruchillo stands up and thanks Melton. With Adolfo he leaves for the hacienda: Maybe something can be saved after all. The three Westerners find Pruchillo's behavior strange.
- Falkenfeder and Vete-ya clash over Shatterhand: "This pale face is Falkenfeather's friend, his friends are my friends and his enemies are my enemies. Falcon Feather will defend this pale face with his life! ”Old Shatterhand releases Falcon Feather from his oath. But he can't be dissuaded from wanting to free Shatterhand. Vete-ya pounces on Hawk Feather, tomahawk raised . Both fight to the death. Thomas Melton interferes and shoots Falkenfeder. Shatterhand to Melton: “You got the Reds to raid the trek. You made the hacienda go up in fire and smoke. You are the murderers of those men who died a terrible death there! "
- Bear Claw appears and breathlessly reports that a pale face escaped from the hacienda. He followed him, but could not reach the fugitive. He rode west to Ures. The garrison is in Ures . The Dragoons will be alerted. Harry M .: “We have to leave, chief. Immediately! You promised to bring these pale faces captured to the rock castle. ”Vete-ya turns to his warriors and explains the next plan to them: Departure to the rock castle, in the valley of the rock castle Tave-schala (= Old Shatterhand) will die on the stake. The sons of the Yuma will return home laden. Everything then starts moving.
Second part: the rock castle
A mountain valley near the rock castle Almaden alto. The mercury mine, known as the rock castle, is located on a rocky peak. The jagged walls that enclose the entrance to the shaft give the impression of a crumbling castle. A wooden shaft tower with a wheel, over which a wire rope leads down, towers above the walls.
- Winnetou and the chief son of the Mimbreños meet. The chief's son reports: Old Shatterhand will not come. At the Río Sonora he came across a trek. They were fellow countrymen of the white hunter. Old Shatterhand fears evil will happen to them. He stayed on the trek for her protection. Old Shatterhand turns to the Apache chief for help. Silver pigeon is added: The trek was attacked by the Yuma! They're all trapped, including Old Shatterhand. He is to die on the torture stake with his white companions. The emigrants are to be dragged away into the death tunnels of Almaden alto. Winnetou: “It is not Manitus will that the brother murder his brother! Winnetou will fight, but he will fight for peace between the brotherly peoples of the red man! ”He sends the chief's son ahead.
- Silver dove asks Winnetou for a weapon. She wants to fight for Shatterhand. Winnetou reminds you of the Apache law: only the warrior fights, not the squaw ! But it will be the silver dove that cuts his fetters.
- In the valley floor, led by Vete-ya and his son, the procession of the Yuma warriors appears. The prisoners are in the middle of a mounted group. Shatterhand and the West people are individually handcuffed, while the emigrants are handcuffed together. At the side of the train ride the Melton brothers. Harry assigns Thomas to bring Smith the shaft attendant and some reliable people. You should receive the new human cargo.
- The dance around the torture stakes begins, led by the Yuma medicine man . The warriors tie Shatterhand and the Westerners to stakes that are driven into the earth at short intervals. The chief solemnly announces what will happen next: Tave-shala will die on the torture stake, his white friends will have to fight young warriors. “But the pale faces who came across the great water to steal land that is the red man's land are said to perish in the death tunnels of the rock castle. They will never see the light of day again and their names will be like the smoke that blows in the wind. "
- Three horsemen arrive: Thomas Melton, Frederic Smith and a heavily armed mestizo. Thomas M. reminds the chief of his promise to accompany the prisoners with his warriors to the rock castle. Vete-ya promises to keep his word. But then they will part ways.
- The shaft supervisor Frederic Smith turns out to be German. His name is Friedrich Schmidt and is now bringing his own compatriots into the death tunnel. He thinks he has no other choice not to die himself. Vete-ya has rides ahead. Smith follows him, then the train of prisoners, which is taken into the center by the Yuma warriors.
- By means of a diversionary maneuver, Winnetou and Silbertaube manage to get behind the companions who are tied to the torture stakes unnoticed, to loosen their chains and to stick knives for defense. The guards and Melton carefully watch the prisoners, who appear to have not changed their position. The warriors sit in a wide semicircle around the torture stakes. To the rhythm of the drums, some young warriors begin to dance around the torture stakes. The first knives fly towards the posts.
- Winnetou shows up and turns a warning to the warriors. The chief of the Yuma listens to what the Apache has to say and gives him the life of his blood brother. Shatterhand does not want to accept this gift, but rather to share the fate of his companions. Vete-ya describes Winnetou as a traitor and breaks the calumet that he once smoked with him. Winnetou is not alone: the Mimbreños warriors show themselves on the heights. Vete-ya draws his knife. Shatterhand quickly detaches himself from the stake and grabs the chief's arm with his knife raised. At the same moment, Droll also detached himself from the stake and cut Dick's and Pitt's bonds with his knife. They take up their nearby weapons and point them at the chief. Winnetou proposes a great consultation of the chiefs.
- At the fire of the deliberation, Winnetou gives a great peace speech and appeals to the chiefs to stop the bloody fratricidal conflict. Mokaschi, the chief of the Mimbreños, asks what the chief of the Apaches is asking. Winnetou answers: “The life of these white men, the prisoners up there in the rock castle and free retreat for the warriors of the Yuma!” He reminds him that his tribe also belong to the great Apache people and that Winnetou is the chief of all Apaches . After Winnetou has listened to the chiefs' mutual accusations, he admonishes them that injustice must never lead to new injustice. He asks if the Yuma chief is willing to repent. Mokaschi and Vete-ya then get excited about each other. Mokaschi kills the fire of advice. Now let the guns speak ...
- Instead of the brotherly fight, Shatterhand offers a duel, which Mokaschi accepts. It is to be fought with only one hatchet, which is in the middle of the marked battlefield and can be picked up by whoever reaches the battlefield first with his fast horse. If Shatterhand wins, he demands that all his companions and the prisoners in the castle be released. Also: "The hatchet of war shall sink into the earth, and the great chiefs will drink the smoke of peace together."
- There is a duel between Old Shatterhand and Nalgu Mokaschi. Shatterhand reaches the battlefield first, but wants to fight without a weapon. Mokaschi attacks Shatterhand one after the other with a hatchet and knife, but is defeated each time. Finally he wants to strangle Shatterhand with his bare hands and is knocked down by him. Winnetou declares Shatterhand the winner. Mokaschi throws away his chief feather, Shatterhand picks it up and gives it back to him. Winnetou thinks it is no shame to have been defeated by Old Shatterhand, the famous white hunter. Nalgu Mokaschi shows his respect for Shatterhand.
- Thomas Melton aims at Shatterhand in great excitement and pulls the trigger. At the same moment the Silver Dove threw itself in front of Shatterhand. At the last moment, Droll manages to turn Melton's rifle up and snatch it from him. Melton flees under curses and curses. Suddenly warriors of the Mimbreños rise before him. They have raised their guns, Melton stumbles back to the edge of the rocky plateau. The young chief son of the Mimbreños wrestles with him on the precipice. Melton falls with a long death cry. Mokaschi's comment: “The chief's son has encountered the enemy like an eagle that strikes its prey at lightning speed. The chief's son is no longer without a name. From that moment on, his name is 'Wenka-schana' - the 'Young Eagle'. "Mokaschi hands the medicine man an eagle feather, which he attaches to the head of the" Young Eagle "s hair.
- Harry Melton appears high up on the rock castle. The walls of the castle and the shaft tower are lit by torches. He screams and curses. He hurls the burning torch into the powder chamber. The rock castle is covered in smoke under heavy detonations. Flames beat brightly from the shaft tower. The tower collapses. The last beams protrude against the sky like a gigantic charred cross.
- Wolf and the group of emigrants emerge from the smoke of the rock castle, staggering and supporting each other: “Smith showed us a secret tunnel that leads out of the mountain. The rock fell behind us. We ran for our lives. Smith couldn't reach us anymore. The falling walls buried him. He has atoned! What should happen now? We have lost everything! ”Winnetou offers that the countrymen of his white brother will find a new home in the vast land of the Apaches:“ You will work hard, but the day will come when you will love your new home. You are all exhausted to death. Now rest there at the source ...! "
- During this scene, Winnetou came up to the chiefs. The group stands on a hill above all the warriors. The medicine man lit the chiefs' calumet. The Indian drums boom in a solemn rhythm. Winnetou, Vete-ya and Mokaschi make statements that all have one tenor : “The hatchet of war is buried!” They solemnly perform the ceremony while the rhythm of the drums becomes stronger and faster. The chiefs, including the young eagle, say goodbye to each other and return home to the wigwams of their tribes. Winnetou and Old Shatterhand also say goodbye to each other.
premiere
The premiere of the play "Die Felsenburg" on July 6, 1969 was attended by 5,000 spectators. One of the numerous guests of honor was the Schleswig-Holstein Minister of Social Affairs Otto Eisenmann , whom Mayor Kasch personally greeted at the entrance of the theater. Scenic highlights of the "rock castle" were an effective torch dance around torture stakes and a dance by the medicine man of the Yuma , which was performed by Silkirtis Nichols alias Buffalo Child Long Lance, the returned Indian on the Kalkbergfelsen . Furthermore, a lot of things burned down effectively on the stage. In the “Felsenburg” production, both the hacienda and the mine were “torched” or blown up.
For the first time, the stage design of the "Felsenburg" featured special features such as agaves and other southern plants. More than 10,000 visitors could be won in 1969 compared to the previous year. It came to 92,350 and headed back towards 100,000.
Others
The piece was performed 29 times over 18 days (until August 11).
On July 15, a (abridged) recording was broadcast on ZDF .
Press coverage
“Indians on the warpath again - Dramatic scenes - At the press presentation of the 'Felsenburg' some weaknesses emerged. Too little happened in the first hour. Invigorating changes of location and fighting scenes were rare, the action was missing. It wasn't until the big scene at the torture stake that atmosphere finally came into the open-air theater. Suddenly the environment sank for the audience, and one was cast under the spell of the magic of the Wild West. (...) What should finally be deleted from the Karl May Games are Winnetou's moralizing appeals to his people, they looked sappy and were not necessary for the course of action. (…) Artistic director Wulf Leisner deserves a compliment for casting the roles. He chose the sporty actor Jochen Henschke for Old Shatterhand. (...) Klaus Arnemann created a realistic stage design. "
- Wolfgang Spahr : Kiel News from July 5, 1969
source
- Entry in the Karl May Wiki for the premiere
Text book
- Wulf Leisner : The rock castle. Old Shatterhand and Winnetou on the Sonora River . Open-air play based on motifs by Karl May , Hamburg-Langenhorn: sales office and publishing house for German stage writers and stage composers n.d. (1969)
literature
- Reinhard Marheinecke , Nicolas Finke, Torsten Greis, Regina Arentz: Karl May am Kalkberg. History and stories of the Karl May Games Bad Segeberg since 1952 , Bamberg / Radebeul: Karl May Verlag 1999, p. 98 ff.
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://karl-may-wiki.de/index.php/Joachim_Henschke
- ↑ http://www.karl-may-wiki.de/index.php/Vete-ya
- ↑ http://www.karl-may-wiki.de/index.php/Nalgu_Mokaschi
- ↑ http://www.karl-may-wiki.de/index.php/Timoteo_Pruchillo
- ↑ http://www.karl-may-wiki.de/index.php/Hazienda_del_Arroyo
- ↑ http://www.karl-may-wiki.de/index.php/Almaden_alto
- ↑ The allusions to the fate of the expellees after the Second World War are unmistakable!
- ↑ Reinhard Marheinecke u. a .: Karl May am Kalkberg ... , 1999, p. 101.
- ↑ Reinhard Marheinecke u. a .: Karl May am Kalkberg ... , 1999, p. 101 f.
- ↑ Reinhard Marheinecke u. a .: Karl May am Kalkberg ... , 1999, p. 102.