The dream of your own theatre

Fritz Theatre

Isabelle Weh and Alica Weirauch are collecting scraps from the stage floor from the last performance. Together with Hardy Hoosmann, they run the Fritz Theatre, are all three on stage themselves and are responsible for everything from the programme to changing light bulbs. In the middle of the residential area of the Rabenstein district, they have realised their dream of having their own theatre. We talked to the makers of the Fritz Theatre between props, coffee kitchen and champagne bottles.

How did you two meet?
Hardy Hoosmann: I was living and working in Munich. When I was directing a guest performance in Singen, I met Isabelle and Alica. Isabelle caught my eye because she is not only a good actress, but also got involved in the organisation. I wanted to realise my dream of having my own theatre with her. An advert on Theaterjobs.de drew our attention to Chemnitz. They were looking for a successor for a theatre - in loyal hands. We set off straight away.

What did you think on your first visit to Chemnitz?
Hardy Hoosmann: We were immediately impressed by this theatre. A beautiful space. A great atmosphere. Ideal size - not too big and not too small. We had no idea about Chemnitz. We didn't really care whether the city was beautiful or not. When we were told we could have the theatre, it was a dream come true.
Isabelle Weh: We were already here just three months after being accepted. That was incredibly quick.
Hardy Hoosmann: We wanted to do something ourselves. And we had all the skills together to build this theatre. Theatre is not only art, but also a lot of organisation.
Alica Weirauch : I joined the team two years later. For example, I look after the amateur theatre group Fritz Theater Chemnitz e.V. and stand in for Isabelle when necessary.

Doing it yourself is a big motto in the small theatre. "Art, lighting, sound, everything to do with this theatre," says Hardy Hoosmann when he talks about his work. Isabelle Weh pulls the organisational strings of the theatre management together with Alica Weirauch. Rocco, the theatre's dog, a philanthropist, scurries about in between. And the youngest member of the theatre team also demands attention. Hardy Hoosmann and Isabelle Weh became parents during the summer break. The many helpers, friends and colleagues who always lend a hand are indispensable.

How is the ensemble made up?
Hardy Hoosmann: The three of us are the regular cast. Silvia Klemm and Antonio da Silva are regularly on stage. And otherwise we buy in actors.
Alica Weirauch : For Loriot or Karl Valentin, where small supporting roles are involved, we also use talented amateurs. Otherwise, the actors come from Berlin, Munich or the immediate neighbourhood.

As theatre people who work intensively with language, how did you warm to the local dialect?
Hardy Hoosmann: I liked the mentality of the Saxons. The willingness to help was great here right from the start. They don't ask first how much you can get in return, but rather what we need. There is also a great talent for improvisation here. We were very lucky. We simply didn't notice the dialect in a negative way.
Isabelle Weh : Of course it makes us smile sometimes when we listen to the way people talk, especially among themselves.

And what do you think of Chemnitz?
Hardy Hoosmann : The fact that we are so involved here and that we all enjoy working here so much means that we don't really care about the city. Sometimes it's a shame that we don't have a pub around the corner. But that's not even so bad. We just don't want to leave here.
Isabelle Weh: We live here in our cosmos. We work, produce and organise. We don't have enough free time to discover the city.

Where did you find the strength to set up your own theatre?
Isabelle Weh: We had phases at the beginning when we thought it wouldn't work. But whenever we thought it wasn't going to work, a door opened somewhere else. The number of spectators has grown steadily and that's why we never gave up hope that it would work. We now have a loyal and fantastic audience and people are grateful that we are here.
Hardy Hoosmann: I never focussed on the difficulties at the beginning. It was like a constant run. The desire was so great. And then a lot of things came together.

The building at Kirchhoffstraße 34 has been the Fritz Theatre since 2005. Back then, two Chemnitz residents, Kerstin Niepold and Friedrich Prager, discovered the building. It belonged to Wismut. Soviet officers found a place to stay next door in the Hotel Rabensteiner Hof before reunification. The building next door was used as a cinema or variety theatre, but not much is really known about it. Five years ago, Isabelle Weh and Hardy Hoosmann took over the theatre. Two years ago, everyone was worried about the future of the theatre when the previous owner, Wismut GmbH, auctioned off the building. Fortunately, the new owner from Switzerland wanted to keep his tenants and so the theatre was able to continue.

What does a play have to have for you to include it in the programme?
Isabelle Weh: We do spoken theatre and there is little to no competition in Chemnitz. We always try to find stories that affect you and touch your heart. It shouldn't be too banal, but not too heavy either. With the play Konfetti, for example, we have a political-satirical programme. It's not quite a full house, but it suits us well. And when we show Loriot with tinsel, the place is full again.
Hardy Hoosmann: In the beginning, we did a lot of comedy because it promised a bigger audience. But we are not a theatre that specialises in comedies. Or that only puts on dramas. Every play, regardless of genre, always has a serious background for us. Even the funniest tabloid comedy. We simply want to tell stories and illustrate them in such a way that they look good and are understandable for people.
Alica Weirauch: We also pay attention to the linguistic level. Ultimately, the story has to fit.

The three theatre makers have prepared well for the Christmas season. With Loriot, they have a classic in the run-up to Christmas. The play Lametta can be seen at the Fritz Theatre from 24 November. From 8 December, the actors are already looking forward to Glorios, a play about the worst singer in the world. "We've actually found a singer who deliberately sings off-key," says Alica Weirauch with anticipation. The theatre ensemble will also be performing at the Chemnitz Christmas market. They will alternate with the Unart theatre group and accompany Father Christmas on the fairytale stage with a fairytale surprise.

Where does your audience come from?
Alica Weirauch: Of course, many come directly from Chemnitz. But also from the surrounding area. Whether Hohenstein-Ernstthal or Limbach-Oberfrohna.

What happens to you when you're on stage? Do you like being in the spotlight?
Isabelle Weh : The feeling of being on stage has changed a lot for me. Since I've been running the theatre, I know how much work goes into making sure that there is an audience and that the play can be performed. It's no longer just about being on stage, there's so much preparation and organisation involved. I'm just happy when everything is ready for the premiere. And then I know that I'll still be performing, but the feeling of being in the spotlight has receded much further into the background. It's a bit like preparing my own wedding every time. Of course I have my role there too, but I also have to make sure that the guests arrive and that everything runs smoothly.

You've lived in Berlin and Munich. Do you sometimes long for the big city?
Isabelle Weh: I spent five years in Berlin and I'm there every now and then. But I don't think it has to be a big city: Chemnitz is exciting. We can't complain at all. What's there is enough for us. Maybe we just don't have the time for more.
Alica Weirauch: I always need the big city from time to time. Then I get the itch and have to go to Berlin. But of course I'll be back. We also like to go and see what the municipal theatres are doing here.

Do you have to encourage the people of Chemnitz?
Isabelle Weh: That's a strange question. I wouldn't put myself in the role of saying: Have courage. Either the atmosphere is there or it's not.
Hardy Hoosmann: Chemnitz is a city where something is still possible. In other cities like Munich, we would be one of many. Here, running a theatre like this is something special. We have the feeling that we are doing pioneering work here. The people of Chemnitz should be encouraged in the sense of sticking with things. We need good, creative people here who want to do something.
Alica Weirauch: That's true. A lot is possible. And the offers are gratefully accepted. I have a lot to do with the public, at the till or the bar, and so much comes back to me.