Aus Scherz wird Ernst : Volksstück mit Gesang in 4 Akten, ca. 1858, 1875.

Format:

Other

Author/Creator:

Kaiser, Friedrich, 1814-1874.

Language:

German

Physical Description:

16 items

Contained In:

Learned Collection on German-Language Theater. Folders 204-210.

Place of Publication:

ca. 1858, 1875.

Language Note:

In German.

Summary:

Materials related to rehearsal and performance, including a published copy (Wien, n.d.; "Als Manuscript gedruckt und ausschliessliches Eigenthum des Theater-Agenten Adalbert Prix"), which has been annotated as a prompt-book; a handwritten scenario; and 14 handwritten role books, for the following parts (the complete character list): Herr von Hagenheim, Gutsbesitzer; Basilius, sein Sekretär; Lieutnant von Helmberg; Valentin Berner, Pächter; Lotte, seine zweite Frau; Riekchen, sein Kind erster Ehe; Bernhard Stäubel, ein Müller; Krautmann, Ortsvorstand; Rubinger, ein Bauer; Christel, Grossmagd; Martin und Peter (Knechte); Pillmann, Dorfbader; and der Todtengräber. The published copy likely dates from around 1858 (a homemade label on the title page is obscuring the publishing date). The title page attributes music to Kapellmeister Carl Binder (no music is included here) and notes that the play was given in Vienna under the title "Das Kind und sein Müller." (Binder was engaged at the Carltheater in Vienna from 1848 until his death, in 1860; the play was performed there in 1858.) Names of cast members noted in the published copy next to the character list correspond to the names on role books. The role book for Valentin Berner is signed on the first inside page by the actor who played the part, "M. Hagemann, 1875"; and dated on the cover "30 Dez. 1875." All of the role books, as well as the published copy, are labeled as the property of Theodor Bloch, who was active in German-language theater in Philadelphia from 1873 until at least the mid 1890s, first as an actor and later as a prompter, and who also ran a theater lending library. (The collection's holdings of theater newspapers and playbills contain no reference to this play.)