Joan’s Fate/Who Dies for Love Today? Heike Hennig

Surely you’ve noticed newlywed’s having their pictures made in Johannapark. You may have thought how lucky they were to have such a lovely backdrop for wedding photos so close to the Standesamt, but did you know there is another, much deeper and historical reason for shooting there?

The park was given to the city in 1881 with the stipulation that it would be called Johannapark and would always remain a park. Leipzig banker, Wilhelm Theodor Seyfferth, built it in 1863 in memory of his daughter, Johanna. He wanted people to remember to enjoy life the way she had-or at least the way she had before he had forced her into a loveless marriage to Dr. Gustav Schulz. This broke Johanna’s heart because she had found her soul mate, Wilhelm von Minckwitz, of whom her father didn’t approve. Two years later, at the tender young age of 21, Johanna died of depression. Nearly a century and a half later, couples still go there to immortalize the official union of their love.

DAS SCHICKSAL DER JOHANNA,

Heike Henning’s newest musical drama, delicately recalls the fate of Johanna Nathalie Schuz. Through extensive research Heike explores the triangular relationship between Johanna, her father and her lover. The piece shows the broken psychological state to which Joan sank after being torn from her true love. At the same time it brings to light the profound ambivalence of this family to the tragedy that gave rise to today’s radiant park with its enduring appeal for couples. With music by Brahms and Schubert, the drama refers to an era of highly strained emotions and raises a burning question: Who dies for love today?

Carolin Masur, David Timm and Axel Thielmann talk, sing, play music and expose various aspects of the basic conflict surrounding the fate of Joan. True to her style one must expect the unexpected from Heike Hennig. Unexpected breaks, dramatic twists and touching moments will have the audience holding their breath as they watch and participate in unlocking Joan’s story and ponder the question of life-giving and life-taking love in our time.

The project is under the patronage of Christoph von Minckwitz, beloved great-grandson of William of Minckwitz, who will be at the premiere

The premiere will be followed by a walk through Johannapark.

Heike Hennig is currently collecting wedding or love photos shot in Johannapark. They can be from any time period. Please send yours here.

Fri 16 Sept 8.00

Ring-Café, Roßplatz 8/9, 04103 Leipzig

advance tickets available at the following locations:

Musikalienhandlung Oelsner, Schillerstr. 5, 04109 Leipzig
Tel: 0341·9605656

Ticket Galerie, Hainstr. 1, 04109 Leipzig
Tel: 0341·141414

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Summer theatre down by the canal…..

The arrival of summer means many things in Leipzig: Bachfest, Wave Gotik Treffen, cooling off in the lakes, sitting in the cafes and watching the world go by…..and, of course, enjoying life at a slower pace down along the Karl Heine canal.

At the moment you get more than you bargain for when you take your bike, or a boat to explore this romantic part of the city.  The Theater der Jungen Welt is currently showing SOMMERTHEATER AUF DEM KARL-HEINE-KANAL.  10 stations along the canal have been set up and offer spectators “strange colours and strange sounds”.  Your hosts for the evening include a waiter at a Tango Cafe, a mermaid, and a Saxon King – all telling tales of a longing for far away places and other lives.

You can book tickets and go along for the boat ride, or enjoy the sights and sounds from the banks of the canal as you slowly cycle or meander your way, taking in the lush greenery and the magnificent architecture that line its dark, cool waters.

What: Summer theatre on the Karl Heine canal

When: 16.-19.6. and 23.-26.6.  Thurs and Fri: start times, 20.00 and 20.30; Sat and Sun start times, 19:00 and 19:30

Where: Start at the Bootshaus des Kanuvereins, Nonnenstr. 23

Tickets: phone on 0341 486 60-16 to book tickets and for further details, or visit www.tdjw.de

Price: 15 euros/ 9 euros concessions

The tango cafe down by the Stelzenhaus

Strange colours and strange sounds await those who take the journey

Beautiful, green & luscious Leipzig! :-)

I was  cycling through the Palmengarten on Wednesday morning and was just blown away by all the happily growing things around me.  I really can’t remember such a beautiful spring as we’re having this year.  Hope you enjoy the photos….