Immersed in Schongau's dark past: "Theaterwalk" inspires viewers

Created: 06/27/2022, 10:00 am

By: Rafael Sala

Advice on what to do against the witches: three powerful councillors, played by Wilfried Zaremba (centre), Christian Beer and Michael Reith.

© Rafael Sala

The Schongau "Lech Theater" is breaking new ground - out of the rooms, out into the open.

The response to the first "theater walk" around the city wall was remarkable.

Schongau - There were scary scenes that took place more than 500 years ago.

This was between 1589 and 1592, a time when winters were long and harsh and summers were cold and rainy.

The result: crop failures and famine.

People died like flies.

The culprits were sought: the "witches".

In her play "Die Hexenfuhre", the author Claudia Martin paints a vivid picture of this time on the eve of the Thirty Years' War.

To visit these places, to be close to the place of action, to be at the living object, so to speak: That is the motivation that drives the Schongau theater group and will continue to do so in the future.

The response to the first "theater walk" around the city wall was remarkable: dozens of people followed the scenes at the respective locations, including the area under the Frauentor, the Feichel and Kassel towers and today's Mayor-Schaegger-Platz.

The spectacle took place from Friday to yesterday Sunday, the tours began at 5 p.m., 5.30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

In a total of six impressive play sequences, the 13 actors breathed life into the theater group of that time.

For example at the Frauentor, where three powerful Schongau councilors - played by Wilfried Zaremba, Michael Reith and Christian Beer - discuss what needs to be done to "end the witch plague once and for all".

On site, the theater performers immerse themselves in their roles

Just saying these words sends chills down your spine.

The polished way of speaking, the strict facial expressions and gestures, the entire self-important behavior of the trio - all of this immediately unfolds its effect.

The bitter dictum: the reported witches are to be taken into custody immediately.

"Under torture, they will confess to what they are accused of," is the cynical final comment.

Schongau in 1589.

A few steps further - the gravel path below the Feichelturm.

A beautiful section of the Sonnengraben, situated on the hillside, with a view of the trees and the city and countryside beyond.

The women who were in this place 530 years ago did not have this idyll in mind.

It was pure horror for them, because the tower, which was much wider at the time, stood on the surface.

It was here that the unfortunate persevered awaiting their "trial," here they were executed, as the group's leader, Michael Eberle, explained.

Great interest: Many visitors came to the first "Theater Walk" of the Lech Theater in Schongau.

© Rafael Sala

Harsh expressions?

In the late Middle Ages, Schongau was teeming with them.

"If only his brain would think as fast as his ass farts": With these words, which made the audience smile, another councilman addressed a clerk on the wooden railing of the threshing floor next to the Kassel Tower.

He immediately put the new dictum on paper with pen and ink: The accused midwife, undoubtedly a witch, had been found guilty of her crimes and the sentence was to be carried out shortly.

The spectators: moved by the acting performance.

This is how history comes alive.

You can find more current news from the region around Schongau at Merkur.de/Schongau.