DomStufen-Festspiele in Erfurt 2000
After a Prologue Speaker announces the “spiritual play” of Everyman’s Summoning, the prelude begins: God the Lord commands Death to bring Everyman before the divine judgment seat to give an account of his life. The main part of the play presents Everyman as a self-righteous steward of his wealth, who denies compassion and help to both a poor neighbor and a debtor.
Then his guests arrive: Paramour, his lover, accompanied by musicians and friends. A lavish celebration begins, but Everyman becomes increasingly unsettled by mysterious voices—until Death suddenly appears and demands he follow him.
Everyman pleads for a brief reprieve to find someone who will accompany him on his final journey. Yet friends, relatives, and even his once-devoted Good Fellowship abandon him. He then has his treasure chest brought to him, hoping that wealth and power will still grant him security at the end of his life. But from the chest emerges Mammon, who declares that it is not money that serves Everyman, but Everyman who is a slave to money. Stripped of all earthly possessions, Everyman sets out on his path to God’s judgment. The personification of his Good Deeds offers to accompany him. When Everyman sincerely repents his failings and rediscovers his faith, Good Deeds and Faith lead him to a cleansing confession. Thus purified, he faces his end with peace. The Devil must admit that his power is defeated here.
Premiere / July 15, 2000
Cast
Play Announcer Gregor Trakis | Death Jürg Wisbach | Devil Gregor Trakis | Everyman Hanns-Michael Schmidt | Everyman's Good Fellow Gregor Trakis | House Bailiff Harald Richter-Wirth | Poor Neighbor Olaf Müller | Debt Servant Harald Richterl | His Wife Sonja Pfeil | Paramour Victoria Voss | Fat Cousin Fernando Blumenthal | Thin Cousin Wolfgang Kaiser | Mammon Herbert Wegner | Faith Gerda-Maria Schultheiß