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This year for the first time only spectators: Monika Lange-Hartl and Otto Wildmoser were active for decades in the theater group of the Gilching men's choir - as actors, treasurer or director.
© uli Singer
The theater group of the men's choir in Gilching has to do without Monika Lange-Hartl and Otto Wildmoser for the first time.
Gilching
– “Even if it’s difficult, you have to be able to let go,” says Monika Lange-Hartl.
In 1976, she and Otto Wildmoser had the idea of founding a theater group within the Gilching men's choir.
Since then, both have been active in the construction and as actors, with Otto Wildmoser also involved as a director.
After Corona, both decided to quit and place the future of the theater group in younger hands.
This year, both of them are no longer there for the first time.
In the cozy room of the former saddlery on Weßlinger Straße, the fate of the men's choir (MGV) and later the associated theater group was discussed and determined for many decades.
“Yes, the entire family was involved right from the start,” says Monika Lange-Hartl, which applied to her parents and also to her as a child.
The now 70-year-old already had major stage appearances at Christmas and St. Nicholas celebrations as a primary school student.
“D'Mama wrote the verses and I was allowed to recite them.” According to the chronicle, Rosa Hartl, Monika's mother, supported her husband Hans Hartl, second tenor and treasurer in the MGV, in all matters relating to the club.
When Hans Hartl resigned from office for reasons of age in 1997 after 46 years, it was a matter of course for Monika to take over the club's treasury - which is still the case today.
Back to the theater group, which, like the MGV, has its home at the “Oberen Wirt”.
At that time it was common for a singer to be chosen as carnival prince, who in turn was allowed to choose his princess and then present her in an unusual way.
In 1973, the foolish regency was transferred to Otto Wildmoser, who chose Monika Hartl, ten years his junior, as princess.
“He acted as a magician and I had to remain as still as a mouse in a large box for a long time until he conjured me up with a magic spell,” remembers Monika.
At that time, the idea arose to perform one-act plays as a duo for celebrations.
“It was so well received that we decided to launch the theater group.
The premiere was in 1976 with the three-act play 'The House Friend'.
For the first event, my dad and his fellow singer Josef Schäufler ran from house to house to sell tickets.
It was a huge success.”
Since then, Otto Wildmoser has directed 45 rural pranks, and there have been guest appearances in South Tyrol and Pasing, among others, in which both he and Monika took on roles.
Wildmoser stepped down as an actor a few years ago, and Monika Lange-Hartl is no longer taking part this year for the first time.
“After a knee operation and after Corona, my health is a bit poor.
And before I can no longer remember the lyrics, I'd rather stop and enjoy watching," she says.
As reported, Wildmoser, who will turn 80 in a few months, has already handed over the direction of the new play “The Rebirth of Grandpa,” which premieres on March 8th, to Herbert Schäufler.
“Monika and I sit in the hall at all rehearsals in the Oberer Wirt and are happy if the theater continues under new management and is successful.”
ULI SINGER