The clinking sound of metal on metal echoes across the square on Forstenrieder Strasse in Neuried. The sun mercilessly casts its hot rays on the two swordsmen Ademar von Hohenfels and Prince Wilhelm. It is the finale of the jousting tournament for the royal crown. Previously, the two opponents had prevailed against their fellow combatants in a tournament or, as it was called in old-fashioned language, “Turnei” from various games of skill. The distribution of roles in the performance of “The Black Coronation” was clear right from the start: Ademar is the bad guy, Wilhelm the good guy. Outside the show arena, however, the two knights are not enemies, but rather brothers, colleagues and part of the Kaiser family of showmen.
In the show, Stefan Kaiser (right) fights his brother Jeffrey.
(Photo: Sebastian Gabriel)
“Today we are satisfied”, says Stefan Kaiser after the performance in view of the well-filled grandstand. The black knight actor Ademar runs Kaiser Events GbR together with his brother Jeffrey Kaiser and is responsible for a team of twelve participants. Together, the community of showmen toured throughout Germany from March to October to refill the empty coffers. The savings the 27-year-old Ritter actor and entrepreneur had accumulated has almost entirely depleted during the pandemic. “We also have other jobs,” he says, and explains how he trained private individuals’ horses when a tour was not possible because of Corona. Only in this way and thanks to donations of feed for his own horses has the showman been able to keep himself and his company afloat over the past two years.
“I could ride a horse before I could walk.”
Horses have accompanied Stefan Kaiser all his life. The showman from Gütersloh was already taking part in family shows at the age of eight. Back then, however, not as a bad knight, but as a lasso-wielding cowboy. “I could ride a horse before I could walk,” Kaiser says, laughing. He has been riding his horse Eragon for four years. It takes a lot of training to prepare the horses for the demands of a big show like the Jousting Tournament. Finally, the rather skittish animals have to perform to the loud noise of applause and cheering onlookers. Therefore, according to Kaiser, the training of the horses also consists of getting used to clapping noises.
You can’t learn the job of a showman either as an apprenticeship or as a student. Stefan Kaiser was practically born with it. As a showman in the sixth generation, he continues the family tradition. The current show also makes it clear how much family and work belong together in the life of the Kaisers. Three generations work here, passing on their knowledge to the next generation. One of the roles, Knight Arthur von Lichtenau, is played by Stefan Kaiser’s father, also named Stefan. His granddaughters, i.e. the daughters of Stefan Kaiser, are already involved in the show. You play the three princesses who introduce the audience to the fictional plot in the first scene of The Black Coronation. It is true that they are still on foot and not on horseback. However, it is only a matter of time before that changes, says Stefan Kaiser: “In two to three years the kids will be riding in the shows.”
Wild riding shows are part of the show.
(Photo: Sebastian Gabriel)
Even away from the stage, Stefan Kaiser’s job is a tough job. Before the various knights can compete in the arena, 600 meters of power cable and 400 meters of water pipes have to be laid. In addition, there is the construction of the grandstand with 300 seats and the stable tent for the ten horses that are on tour with the Kaiser family. In addition to the physical fitness that is required to be able to sit on a horse while stabbing a lance and to build up a small village of wooden castles, grandstands and trailer parks every 14 days, Stefan Kaiser’s job also requires a great deal of administrative talent.
After the two-hour performances, of which there are almost a dozen per venue, Stefan Kaiser is far from over. First, the horses must be taken care of. After the stable work is done, Kaiser then sits in the office and organizes the next dates of the tour. The 27-year-old’s least favorite part of his job is doing the marketing to promote his shows. But that is also part of the showman’s life. He still doesn’t want to trade his job.
Only when all the horses are taken care of and the office work is done can Stefan Kaiser call it a day. He prefers to spend this time with his family: “After work is done, we watch a nice film with the children.” Even on his rest days, Tuesday and Wednesday, Kaiser’s everyday life revolves around keeping the business running. The aim is to train young horses for work on stage, to repair equipment and wash costumes. When asked whether it wasn’t too warm under the armor, Stefan Kaiser pointed to his shirt with a grin, most of which was soaked in sweat.
Stefan Kaiser’s team has been performing the “black coronation” for five years now. According to the showman, the fascination with knights and princesses is unbroken. His shows continue to be hugely popular, especially with children, some of whom have donned their finest princess dresses just for the performance. Despite great demand, the current economic situation is also making itself felt in the showman business: “You can tell that people are holding onto their money.”
You can watch the showman and his team at work in Neuried until August 28th. The performances of “The Black Coronation” there begin on Fridays and Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., on Sundays at 2 p.m. and on Mondays and Thursdays at 4 p.m.