A good laugh is sunshine in the house
Villa Sonnenschein - Schmidt Theater, Hamburg, 07th March 2012
I have seen the show several times since its opening weekend in January, I used to call this theatre my second home, but currently it seems it is more my first than my second. Oh well, I can sleep when am dead. ;-)
The majority of the shows since 12th Jan have been most enjoyable, the bus tour with the cast was just incredible, so seeing the show last night might not sound special, I mainly just went as the guy playing Felix is not doing a lot more shows before it finishes on 24th March, but when a fantastic show gets the most perfect casting it just deserves a special mention.
Mechthild - Franziska Kuropka
Melanie - Dörthe Thiel
Felix - Marco Knorz
Doctor Mathieu - Kai Bronisch
Carlotta von Pörtschach - Ingrit Dohse
Gustav - Hans B. Götzfried
Hubert - Burkhard Heim
Lara/Margarethe - Inka Jankowski
I so had not been in the mood for the show for various reasons, shocking some might say, but once the first note was played all was forgotten and I was reminded why I love the show (maybe far too much). This show just delivers what it promises on the outside - a pure fun evening that even after a miserable day I leave the theatre in high spirits.
“The theatre is so endlessly fascinating because it's so accidental. It's so much like life.”
Arthur Miller
The biggest surprise of the evening was most probably Hans B. Götzfried as Gustav, the grumpy suicidal old man in a wheelchair.
(Unfortunately) Corny Littmann plays most of the shows this season and he is just not my cup of tea. But Hans, just as Robin Brosch, plays the part most perfectly and when he does the cast presentation etc. at the end that is a stand-up act on its own having so much charm. His Gustav is on one hand certainly grouchy but he is also giving the character despair and agony which makes you care. Every gesture he does is so convincingly played out that even his picking his nose which when Corny does it just is done most grossly looks humanly. It is an utter shame that he hardly plays this part (just my second time seeing him in that part this season). Yes, he does do several shows as Hubert, but due to the character description it is more limited than this part.
And actually with Burkhard Heim as the adorable senile Hubert and Ingrit Dohse as Carlotta von Pörtschach, the diva par excellence for me, the three are for me the most perfect senior team anyway.
Not really going to say many words on Kai Bronisch as the doc – solid good performance, I have just reached a point having the same issue as with other performers as Ethan Freeman. As fantastic as they are the whole “playing safe” is just, no I do not want to say boring, as it is not true, well let's say unexciting for me after a few shows. And saying the word “geil” (German slang for something fantastic) is not a word I want to hear from the snobbish posh doc. Oh whatever, so much about not many words, well still fun.
Dörthe Thiel and Inka Jankowski were also a delight as usual. Both being my personal favourites as Melanie and Lara etc. respectively they both sparkle with talent that I cannot help but just adore them. Sometimes I actually think that it is a shame that Inka has not been given a chance to alternate the role of Melanie as I can picture her so well giving the character new aspects.
Well and there was the one reason for me going: Marco Knorz.
What did I rave about him when I saw him in January and if you ask me now I can just rave even more. Bringing such a brightness and cheekiness but also tenderness and softness to the part with a voice so full and emotional giving me goosebumps and bringing me to tears as when singing his one solo number in act 2 is just such a treasure to watch.
Never, and that includes Jan (sorry :S ) has the puppet felt so alive and human with still being one.
The little touches he added to the role, as e.g. when the other one just pretty much stands around as in one number performed by the doc and the focus is clearly is on the doc are so well thought through and performed.
Whenever I watch him (which was a lot the case during that show, oops) there is not one moment him losing his face.
That does not mean he would not crack up (which is not something you want at a Stage Entertainment show but at a Schmidt Theater show you somehow kinda expect it if you are a regular) when something does not go according to plan but it always feels as part of the role. Like at this show when he throws the note Felix wrote for Melanie on the floor it ending close to the edge of the stage, a guy in the front row thought it would be okay to pick it up he turned Felix into a beggar with the most desperate facial impression. Wow. Yes, am totally utterly smitten with him. Just a real-est treat. I so do not want him to have his last show on the 23rd. :'(
What did I rave about him when I saw him in January and if you ask me now I can just rave even more. Bringing such a brightness and cheekiness but also tenderness and softness to the part with a voice so full and emotional giving me goosebumps and bringing me to tears as when singing his one solo number in act 2 is just such a treasure to watch.
Never, and that includes Jan (sorry :S ) has the puppet felt so alive and human with still being one.
The little touches he added to the role, as e.g. when the other one just pretty much stands around as in one number performed by the doc and the focus is clearly is on the doc are so well thought through and performed.
Whenever I watch him (which was a lot the case during that show, oops) there is not one moment him losing his face.
That does not mean he would not crack up (which is not something you want at a Stage Entertainment show but at a Schmidt Theater show you somehow kinda expect it if you are a regular) when something does not go according to plan but it always feels as part of the role. Like at this show when he throws the note Felix wrote for Melanie on the floor it ending close to the edge of the stage, a guy in the front row thought it would be okay to pick it up he turned Felix into a beggar with the most desperate facial impression. Wow. Yes, am totally utterly smitten with him. Just a real-est treat. I so do not want him to have his last show on the 23rd. :'(
Well, a most fantastic evening leaving the theatre on such a high - just what you expect from a theatre night out. Roll on next week. :)
My Other Villa Sonnenschein Posts With More Details About The Show
“We all sing about the things we're thinking; musicals are about expressing those emotions that you can't talk about. It works a real treat.”
Anthony Head
