There are quite a few politicians who seem like they’ve never read a book (which isn’t a big deal). In the case of Landshut’s Lord Mayor Alexander Putz, this accusation was ineffective anyway, which became evident on Tuesday at Trausnitz Castle. The reader Putz spoke passionately about his fondness for authors like Thomas Mann and John Irving. And he also loves Charles Dickens very much. Putz praised his works “Great Expectations” and “Oliver Twist”, which were almost on a par with his favorite novel from that era, namely “Die Miserable” by Victor Hugo.
There was a good reason why literature and theater were discussed extensively at the meeting in Landshut. A social cultural project is to be realized at Trausnitz Castle in the run-up to Christmas, which will ultimately result in eight performances of the play “Oliver Twist”. For the first time ever, theater will be performed in the White Hall at Trausnitz Castle.
The association “Wir für Landshut eV” is in charge of this and wants to promote and support those children and young people who need help with this charity project. “I’m sure that the radiance of this meaningful project will unfold far beyond the borders of our city,” said Mayor Putz. “We want to act as a beacon with this social cultural project in difficult times,” added Claudia Hahn, chairwoman of the association, which has been committed to social youth work in the city of Landshut since 2010. The aim is not only to awaken the potential of children and young people, but also to bring people from different cultural and social backgrounds together.
A bridge into the now
Why does the evergreen “Oliver Twist”, the story of the orphan boy who grows up under difficult circumstances and in the end still has a promising future, help? Director Thomas Ecker, who is supposed to prepare the play for the stage, replied that the novel, published in 1838, builds an ideal bridge from the 19th century, in which Dickens experienced the injustice of the social system of the time, to the present day. Twist combines components of a fairy tale, a thriller and a socially critical drama, said Ecker, who wants to show with the piece that there are people who provide support and support even in hopeless situations. This story fits in perfectly with the club’s purpose of “We for Landshut”, added OB Putz. In view of the debate about the expensive renovation of the Stadttheater, he did not hide how pleased he was that a brilliant theater project could be offered here with little funding.
The ensemble is made up of actors from three Landshut theater associations (Hofberg Theater, Theater Konrad and Theater Nikola) as well as disadvantaged children and young people, who are also found in abundance in a thriving city like Landshut. You will not only act on stage, but also participate in the organization, assistant director, stage painting and extras. “There will be no hierarchy,” emphasized Ecker. The leading role will not be given any higher priority than the role of an extra. Workshops are offered to accompany the game. The resulting works of art, paintings and photographs will be presented together with the stage sets by the artist Michael Lange at an exhibition in Landshut’s town hall.
“We want to give children and young people easier access to art and culture,” said Claudia Hahn. A nice side effect would be if it would also be possible to recruit young people for the amateur stages, who are confronted with the risk of aging after Corona, as the chairman of the “Bühne Landshut”, Reinhart Hoffmann, complained. More info at www.wir-fuer-landshut.de.