It is a place that has served many poets and thinkers as a source of inspiration and has been the setting for many a feature film: the former Hotel Talhof, at the end of a valley, set right on the steep slopes of the Semmering in Austria. A history-laden building complex from the turn of the century, lovingly restored last year. "It really is a magical place, very special," reckons Doina Weber, who has already been there several times for theatre productions. The Austrian emperor spent his hunting holidays there; Arthur Schnitzler settled there to write many works, such as "Das weite Land". Now the former hotel has become a theatre that, alongside its plays, also hosts readings and panel discussions with journalists, politicians and philosophers. One of the upcoming productions will be the play "Am Ende eines kleinen Dorfes", directed by Anna Maria Krassnigg, after the novella "Die Totenwacht" by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach. Doina Weber is looking forward to this work, because a long-standing, trusting collaboration connects her with the director, and she is especially looking forward to the time at the Talhof. "The summers there are incredibly beautiful. As an actor it's simply wonderful, because you can work there with marvellous concentration and, after rehearsals, go hiking and enjoy nature." The actress is also already curious about Anna Maria Krassnigg's staging. "Am Ende eines kleinen Dorfes" is a three-person play in which a young woman sits on the coffin after her mother's funeral. A man comes to her, to whom she has long been connected in a tragic way, as quickly becomes clear. The young woman wants nothing more to do with him and turns him away. He does not let up, however, and makes it clear to her that he wants to marry her. At the open coffin, she settles her account with him. Doina Weber will be the dead mother, the living mother and the narrator's voice all at once. "I'm curious how the director will resolve it. But I've worked with her several times before and therefore know that she'll stage it wonderfully." Anyone who now feels the urge to spend the summer at this inspiring, magical place too, amid art, culture and beautiful nature, can see for themselves from 4 August 2017 how the director has staged this special play.
4 August 2017 premiere of "Am Ende eines kleinen Dorfes"