Through the year with Carl Zuckmayer: 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the premiere of "The Merry Vineyard" - and Rheinhessen is celebrating with its own series of events. 34 events from 24 organizers make up the extensive annual programme entitled "Everything Carl"which is dedicated to Zuckmayer's work in the Rheinhessen region. The project was initiated by the Rheinhessen Regional Cultural Management in cooperation with the Nackenheimer Carl Zuckmayer Society. The renowned author was born here in 1896 and died in 1977; some Rheinhessen residents still know him personally. With works such as "The Captain of Köpenick" and "The Devil's General", he achieved world fame and is still part of the literary canon of the 20th century. The comedy "Der fröhliche Weinberg", set in the Gunderloch vineyard in Nackenheim, marked the breakthrough in his career in 1925.
Theater rehearsal with heart and humor
Anyone who quietly and secretly watches a rehearsal of the Carl-Zuckmayer-Gesellschaft theater group immediately senses that this is not just about acting and artistic expression, but about much more. It's about socializing, sharing and a place where you can laugh and be creative together.
During my visit, I was able to marvel at the run-through of Act 1 of "The Merry Vineyard" in the Zuckmayer Hall in Nackenheim. Even before I enter the rehearsal room, I am greeted by roars of laughter and beaming faces. At this point, the actors are still practising without costumes. Before these are used, the "framework" of the play has to be built. Who stands where and when, how do the actors interact with each other and when, how much emotion and expression does a particular passage of text need? For me as a theater layman, it was incredibly interesting to observe this process and to see how the actors are initially still in conversation with their team members and then slip into their roles in the next moment and change their gestures, facial expressions and habitus.
A total of 29 people are involved in the production. They have been rehearsing diligently once a week since November 2024. The special thing about the performance: an open-air performance close to the text and Zuckmayer's stage directions. All the actors and backstage staff are amateurs and only receive a small allowance.
Playing outdoors - with a plan B up your sleeve
The last production still took place under corona conditions. The team is all the more pleased to now be able to plan under "normal" circumstances. With open-air events, there is always a little uncertainty in advance as to whether the weather will cooperate. However, the Zuckmayer-Gesellschaft team is well prepared in the event of a downpour: They have ponchos ready to be pulled over the costumes should the worst happen, because, "We'll play in ponchos if need be." In addition to stage fright, uncertainty about the weather also causes the odd thrill on the day of the performance. The costumes come from the former costume mistress of the Staatstheater and were purchased. Replacements are available from the State Theater or costume rental.
A breath of fresh air in the director's chair
This year's production of "The Merry Vineyard" marks a new beginning of sorts: after the previous directing team stepped down due to age, two new faces, Andreas Schlicht and Federico Mesina, have come on board to bring a breath of fresh air into the rehearsal room. The significant rejuvenation of the directing team is also an attempt to appeal to a younger audience and get the next generation excited about Zuckmayer. The actors are still working closely with the text, but the aim is to tease out new nuances. This means a special degree of flexibility for the performers, some of whom have been with the company for over 30 years. Seven performances are currently planned for 2025, including a guest performance in Worms. In addition to The Merry Vineyard, the theater group also tackles other works by Zuckmayer, such as Schinderhannes. This changes every year, but the "Weinberg" is a must. Sometimes three plays are performed in parallel each season.
Prominent support and a strong community
The President and current Head of the Finance Department of the City of Mainz, Günter Beck, will not miss the opportunity to attend the rehearsal in person and talk to the performers. He himself has taken part in performances in the past, for example as Eismayer in the last production. Hierarchies don't count here, only the enjoyment of the play, social interaction and the aspiration to present the audience with a high-quality theatrical performance. I was particularly pleased with the heterogeneous composition of the ensemble. From young to mature, everything is included, but of course the Zuckmayer-Gesellschaft is struggling with the widespread problem of ageing. It is becoming increasingly difficult to attract new, fresh members to join the society. However, the theme year "Alles Carl? Rheinhessen 2025" shows how great the interest in Zuckmayer still is. The topics he deals with are more topical and explosive today than ever before. The parallels to the present are explained in the introduction to the play at the beginning.
However, the theater activities do not only take place for the sheer pleasure of performing. The income from the theater events can be used to finance the literary activities of the Zuckmayer Society. According to its statutes, the society is obliged to research Zuckmayer. However, it must be said that a great deal of research has already been done on Zuckmayer and there are currently hardly any new approaches that are being pursued.
Quirky stage moments and Rhine-Hessian joie de vivre
When I ask him what curious things he can tell me about his time at the Zuckmayer Society, Vice President Reinhard Dietzen smiles: "People have come on stage in the middle of the play who just wanted to join in. They had seen the performance so often that they knew it by heart." The accompanying glass or two of good Rhoi Hessian wine certainly helped to encourage them.
Performance dates and ticket information
The theater performance "100 Years of the Merry Vineyard" will take place from June 13 to 15 and from June 19 to 21 at the Nackenheimer Rathausplatz. Tickets are available at info@carl-zuckmayer.de available.
