Around 100 volunteers with and without cowboy hats have gathered in a restaurant in Engelberg to be discovered by Volkers and casting director David Matthäus Zurbuchen. Divided into small groups of around ten people, those present are given clear instructions: "Imagine the following scene: It's half past two in the morning. A group of Indians sneak up on a group of tipsy people who are holding a young woman with injured legs captive. This lady must be freed."
Amateur actors without "deformation professional"
Just seconds later, two groups compete against each other and act out the scene as they please. Zurbuchen pays particular attention to the extras' body movements and gestures: "You can quickly see when they work together," he says with obvious enthusiasm. There is a lot of laughter in between, and Zurbuchen enjoys playing with amateur actors without any "professional deformation".
Spoilt for choice
Finally, Tom Volkers takes the floor: "The play has been given: But we still need noble extras and amateur actors for small speaking roles." These are being sought in a further casting round. Of the 100 extras, around half will ultimately be engaged for the 26 performances (9 afternoon and 17 evening performances). The excitement about the final result among all the would-be extras is enormous. Everyone wants to take part in "Winnetou".
KARL MAY FREILICHTSPIELE "Winnetou"
15.7.-13.8.17 Engelberg
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