Voice magician JOHANNES STECK and the kings of minstrels, CORVUS CORAX, venture to go ahead to a new dimension with ‘Die Zwerge’ (transl. ‘The Dwarves’). Combining a reading with a music concert and a show they present the iconic fantasy epos written by Markus Heitz as a tight and atmospheric live performance. CORVUS CORAX is an influential and internationally successful band formed in 1989 and is considered the very first new dark age band in Germany. They began as a duo and are now eight musicians reconstructing and developing further tunes as well as instruments from the 14th century. Their minstrel melodies and medieval soundscapes frame JOHANNES STECK's narrative voice and take the audience into the land of legends and myths. The well-known TV actor and audiobook narrator JOHANNES STECK has initiated this project which is directed by ALEXANDER MAY.JOHANNES STECK about his project
Why fantasy?
“In our highly technological world that seems increasingly abstract and in which one can lose oneself more and more, man yearns increasingly for a clear and simply structured world. At fantasy conventions, thousands of like-minded people meet to reenact the ancient game of good versus evil, light against shadow. Selling more than 1.2 million copies of ‘The Dwarves’, Markus Heitz wrote a bestseller. With his wonderful sense of humor, his accurate description of the characters, his lovable nature, and also his lyric painting of epic battles, Heitz has the finger on the pulse. It's just fun to go on a journey with his characters.”
Why fantasy as a dramatic reading with music?
“It was my very first contact with fantasy when I read the also very successful audiobook version. It was fascinating to me how diverse the characters were and the resulting opportunities that were offered to me as a speaker. The idea to bring ‘The Dwarves’ on stage emerged soon – as a live event and not that blown up as the countless plastic musicals; rather like cinema in your head. Here the viewers are still allowed to animate their imagination visualising the characters themselves not being clogged up with junk information. After all, these people, just like me, increasingly long for simplicity. I love the tradition of storytellers, tellers of fairy tales from the market of Marrakesh, the grannies and parents who tell their children and grandchildren stories. After Markus Heitz told me that he had often listened to CORVUS CORAX while writing ‘The Dwarves’, I knew I had to get these wild Middle Ages punks enthusiastic about my idea. And indeed, the raven band warmed up for the project. Having been successful at knights' games, festivals, and countless concerts in-country and offshore for 20 years, CORVUS CORAX are willing to accompany Tungdil on his adventure.”
The book's content
For countless millennia, the dwarves of the Fifthling Kingdom have defended the stone gateway into Girdlegard, where humans, magicians, and elves live in peace. Many and varied foes have hurled themselves against the portal and died attempting to breach it. No man or beast has ever succeeded so far. But now, bloodthirsty Orcs and ogres overrun the country. And there are also the Albae, cruel creatures full of dark magic – those who die at their hand return as undead slaves of darkness. In uncertain times like these, the dwarf Tungdil runs an errand at the behest of the powerful mage Lot-Ionan. And so he embarks on a fateful journey on which he will either meet his death or become the greatest hero of all dwarves. The little ones will be the biggest!
About the show
On stage, the archaic world of Dwarves, Elves, Orcs, trolls, and the Albae are brought to life only the narrator JOHANNES STECK and the Middle Ages punks of CORVUS CORAX. JOHANNES STECK resurrects the various characters of the epic with his enormous vocal range and extraordinary way of interpreting: he lisps as a Magician, grunts as an Orc, and roars like a Dwarf King. In their imaginative costumes and with their archaic faces, CORVUS CORAX play on handmade drums and bagpipes. On top, there's the roaring of Castus' voice, who's the singer of the band. Along with the story the world of the dwarves is created as if by itself and the viewers cannot escape its fascination until the very end.
Author Markus Heitz about the project
“When I write a book, I don't think about what may become of the work. For me as an author it's all about the story I want to tell. And with the dwarves I wanted to create a classic fantasy adventure in which the “little ones” are in the spotlight and the others being the accessories. The dwarves have found their friends, and Johannes is one of them. When he told me about his idea and mentioned CORVUS CORAX as the musicians, I was amazed and thought: “Great project, but the Berlin ravens must have enough work to do...” But CORVUS CORAX joined in! And for Johannes the actual work began. […] The way I see it, the result is a richly unique and fascinating project. […] Or to put it more dwarf-like: Music and storytelling were forged with much creativity and commitment to create something new! I am certain that the dwarves would like it, if their deeds were told with this strong voice power and such mighty music!”
Additional Concert Info
Doors: 7:00pm
Starts: 8:00pm
Tickets: available from 25.00€ at www.eventim.de, www.reservix.de, and www.tickets.vibus.de
Info DIE ZWERGE Live: www.die-zwerge-live.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Die-Zwerge-LIVE/184207352262
Info JOHANNES STECK: www.johannes-steck.tv
Info CORVUS CORAX: www.corvuscorax.de
Tour Dates
Jan 8 – Kulturhaus Großlaupheim, Laupheim
Jan 9 – Festhalle, Pirmasens
Jan 10 – Werner-Jaeger-Halle, Neunkirchen
Jan 12 – Stadthalle, Troisdorf
Jan 15 – Theater Marl, Marl
Jan 20 – Haus der Kulturen, Waldkraiburg
Jan 21 – Stadthalle, Erding
Jan 22 – Theater am Ring, Villingen
Jan 23 – Stadthalle, Gunzenhausen
Jan 24 – Oberrheinhalle, Offenburg
Jan 26 – Teo-Otto-Theater, Remscheid
Jan 27 – Theater der Stadt, Wolfsburg
Jan 28 – Theater an der Wilhelmshöhe, Lingen
Jan 29 – Stadttheater, Minden
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