“Room with Stable” star Friedrich von Thun
Switching to Elena Uhlig “wasn’t that easy”
Friedrich von Thun as Barthl in “Room with Stable: The Blue from Heaven”.
© ARD Degeto/Marc Reimann
Elena Uhlig plays the new leading role in “Room with Stable”. He tells an interview how actor Friedrich von Thun fared with it.
The next two films in the successful television series “Room with a Stable” (since 2018) will be on the first on November 17th and 24th from 8:15 p.m. – and with it a big change. Because from now on, instead of Aglaia Szyszkowitz (55), Elena Uhlig (48) will take on the well-known leading role. A change for the audience, but of course also for the actors Friedrich von Thun (81). From the beginning he plays the grumpy but lovable Barthl Fuchsbichler, who lives in the stable of Sophie Böhmler’s farmhouse.
In an interview with spot on news, Friedrich von Thun reveals, among other things, how he felt about the change after his long-term colleague left at short notice. The 81-year-old also talks about how he keeps fit and whether he dreams of a multi-generational household.
Elena Uhlig replaces Aglaia Szyszkowitz as Sophie in the TV series “Zimmer mit Stall” (since 2018). How did you feel about the change?
Friedrich von Thun: For me it wasn’t quite that easy. But not because Elena Uhlig can’t do it, she is an excellent actress and delivers top quality. But I’ve already made a few “Room with a Stable” films with Aglaia Szyszkowitz [neun, Red.]. In that respect it was a change. No problem, just some getting used to. You can perhaps imagine it a bit like a family, where one person has been replaced the next time they meet.
What do you particularly like about the series in general?
von Thun: The “Room with Stable” series is good entertainment and fulfills people’s longing for material that does not affect the substance of life. It also plays in a very beautiful environment. Of course, there are more socially meaningful films that deal with serious topics. Crime thrillers also have their point, even if they have been broadcast in a somewhat inflationary way for a long time. But trying to make good entertainment is also a challenge.
In one of the two new films, your character tries to meditate. Do you do something like that in your private life too?
von Thun: Of course I’ve tried yoga and the like, but for me meditation is something different. There are moments when I go out into nature that I would describe as meditative. I also have meditative moments when I go to a pilgrimage church. Then I sit down and feel a special atmosphere. I’m sensitized to this, even if I’m not particularly pious now. On the other hand, intentionally sitting on a mat for hours to meditate is not my thing.
From my doctor friend Dr. Ferdinand Huber (Philipp Sonntag) forces your character to undergo a health check in “Room with Stable”. How do you feel about this privately?
von Thun: I’m trying to attend to my doctor’s appointments properly. At the end of the year I always make a kind of program for the next year, when I have to go to the dentist etc. again. I try to stick to that. Otherwise everything is fine as long as I’m okay.
Memory is particularly important for actors. Do you train this specifically?
von Thun: Yes, I do difficult Sudokus. For me it’s like a little fitness test. Accordingly, I also get very annoyed when I make careless mistakes. But it happens to me more and more often that I go into a room and no longer know what I actually wanted (laughs). Then I’ll do another Sudoku test as a test. In general, I’m quite happy with my memory. Being a bit distracted is normal at my age, I think.
The series shows, among other things, life in a multi-generational household. What do you think, would this be an option for you personally?
von Thun: We had already thought about it in the family. But I think that a little distance is quite pleasant. I currently live about 15 minutes away from my son and daughter by bike. That’s a very comfortable distance. I don’t know whether it would really be a good thing if we were all in one house with our partners and grandchildren. The house would have to be big enough first. Besides, everyone wants to live their own life. But I have friends who live in multi-generational households with great success. It’s also a type question. Maybe it would work for us too – but it’s not a longing of mine.
They also deal with animals in each episode, kids, chickens, raccoons, camels and so on. Which ones are particularly dear to you?
von Thun: I am generally an animal-loving person. Filming with the kids, chickens, raccoons and camels were wonderful experiences. Personally, I really like dogs. The children have a dog and he is with me a lot too.
“Room with Stable” is filmed in Hausham, Upper Bavaria. How do you like it there?
von Thun: It’s a dream. This is an incredibly beautiful place, with a charming little chapel. Bavaria at it’s best, I would say.