Audience of 2000 people relished the summer show at the theater
In the charming town of Riedlingen, Germany, the annual Theater Summer event returned with a cohesive story penned by Edith Erhardt. This year's production, like many theatrical productions in small German towns, faced common challenges such as securing funding, coordinating volunteers, managing logistics for outdoor performances, and dealing with unpredictable weather conditions.
The organizational triumvirate for the event consisted of Andrea Traub, Mechtild Kniele, and Hannes Schwendele. They worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth production, with Hannes managing to have the traffic barriers removed after the performances and securing the flea market theater as a space for the sewing room. The city hall market stall was also cleared out for the organizers.
The large cast of actors and musicians were pushed to their limits in the weeks leading up to the premiere, with about ten musicians from the city music group and "Tastenzauber" accordionists joining the cast. The weather-related challenges during the remaining six performances included rain and the distribution of rain capes to the audience.
One of the most memorable moments came during the premiere when Anton Koerble, the vintage car owner, demonstrated flexibility and ingenuity when his car failed to start. Gisela O'Grady-Pfeiffer, tasked with an important role, fell ill but was capably replaced by Susanne Volz. Roland Uhl, who played a role in the fire scene, had to be replaced as well.
Collaboration with Bernhard Mohl from Theater Lindenhof, responsible for the music, was considered a valuable addition. Günther Hübler, from the fire museum, lent original old fire buckets for the production. The building yard set up the traffic barriers.
Despite the challenges, the theater family, made up of many dedicated individuals involved in setup, teardown, sewing, construction, figure-making, public relations, and more, came together to make the event a success. The monthly Stammtisch tradition was also continued, providing an opportunity for the family to meet and stay connected.
As the curtains close on this year's Theater Summer in Riedlingen, the anticipation for next year's event at the Baggersee in Ertingen grows. The resilience and collaborative spirit of the Riedlingen theater community continue to shine, making each production a memorable event for all involved and the audience alike.
The organizational team, consisting of Andrea Traub, Mechtild Kniele, and Hannes Schwendele, transformed the flea market theater into a sewing room for the production's costumes, supplementing the home-and-garden environs of the sewing room with outdoor-living elements. The Lifestyle Village at the annual market place in Ertingen could potentially sponsor future outdoor-living accessories for the theater's performances, creating a more immersive environment for audiences.
