"Comedians" "Friederike Caroline Neuber 1697 - 1760 called the "Neuberin"" "She liberated the German theatre from the cheap slapstick of the clown." "Through hard work she educated actors and the public alike." "Without the Neuberin, our classic authors like Lessing, Schiller and Goethe wouldn't have found a theatre capable of giving their plays the appropriate setting." "today: performance of the famous Neuber gang of comedians in "The raging Medea" at the Reichsadler inn, Merseburg so I'll transform my body into many eyes which must never cease shedding tears so that this heart, which is harder than marble, may weaken" "and may transform itself... into brooks, rivers... into a sea of tears... into a sea, a beautiful big sea do you know the story how the great Columbus messed with the god Neptune?" "here, look at me" "I am Columbus, the great seafaring hero but even a great seafarer occasionally has his bodily needs especially on the back side of the globe so the great Columbus wakes up because his bowels ache he jumps onto the reeling" "and puts his arse out at the sea at this moment, the god Neptune swims by the ruler of the seas, so there's only one choice:" "the pants or god Neptune?" "then I, Columbus the Great preferred not to shit into my pants, but to shit onto the god Neptune" "what's the meaning of that disgusting joke?" "freedom of the arts, Madame Principal has he gone mad?" "Columbus in an antique tragedy?" "the girl looks seasick or she wants to kiss the god Neptune" "I gave birth to many children death took away many of my children sorrow piles upon sorrow a mountain of pains oppresses my heart throw your coat over my shoulders, mother so that I won't lie there shamelessly that I won't receive death shamelessly" "I see, shame has hidden itself under your skirts what insolence to hide in such a sacred place" "I'll catch and seize you, you indecent shame!" "where does he pick up those dirty jokes?" "my own production, Madame Principal my theatre has no place for his productions" "I want to create a decent German theatre all she creates is a boring one!" "bravo, Müller" "since she has already taken off her royal make-up" "I'll take off the clown's mask and offer peace and tomorrow he'll put on his costume again and drag every noble feeling into the dirt mankind is made out of dirt that's why the public loves me, Madame Neuber" "for you they only feel respect at most" "Müller!" "he knows how much work I've put into it to transform our gang into Germany's finest troop but when I'm standing next to him on the stage I feel ashamed is that so?" "If I didn't put on my act... your company might as well go begging in the streets from next week all the same I'll throw you out one day!" "hoppla!" "without the good clown I don't advise you to perform in our city counselor Klubsch from Leipzig my friend you see, Madame Principal, to watch my performance, illustrious strangers come all the way to Merseburg" "Your Excellency, we owe much to the city of Leipzig, a benefactress of the arts then let the public go on laughing about our friend the harlequin otherwise she'll have little success with us" "let's have a drink" "I have to rinse away my anger" "I just came to say goodnight" "I have some business to attend to in the evening?" "I can well imagine the kind of business you have he knows me to tell the truth for some time now, there's a certain chicken waiting in my pan she's to be fried tonight at last" "hey, Philine!" "what's that?" "she's here?" "come up at once!" "didn't I tell you to make yourself pretty" "I'm expecting a visitor it's hard to please my guardian if the skins aren't ready by next week it'll be my fault again" "she knows how important that visit is to me did you get the wine?" "with what money?" "buy it on credit for all I care the grocer doesn't give credit any more of course he doesn't, with the clumsy way she goes on about it a smile, a pretty look, and he'll pick up the chalk at once (to write up the credit)" "but she's too proud for that, isn't she but tonight she won't be squeamish" "I demand that my visitor be treated in a friendly way hurry up, we'll have to leave in an hour" "Kohlhardt!" "oh Kohlhardt, he's such a gifted comedian but why does he act his love scene like buttered rolls?" "I act like I feel then he should feel less, and act better don't you understand, Karoline?" "no, she doesn't understand." "she's an old woman and beyond love you're not old you're a great artist he should address his declarations of love to my public and stay true to the theatre that's the greatest proof of love he could give me" "and I transform myself into brooks... into rivers... into a sea of tears" "Feigin, but you're taking over my part?" "that new poet, he moves everybody to tears what did you cook for us today?" "soup, with beans and meat." "I wished I could have prepared something better it'll do." "if only she doesn't overdo the salt with all her tears hasn't she shed enough tears on the stage?" "the public wants to feel sad for its money she wants to make the public sad, and Müller wants them make them scream with laughter all the time how dare you compare me to that clown just stir your soup with the same spirit" "and the hearts, Feigin!" "you see, Viktorine memorizing the part had been useful after all but it's such a bore, Madame Principal always looking for men to flirt with is even more boring an actress must work!" "and work!" "rubbish what's the matter, Lorenz?" "I'm tired all all her admonitions and artist needs freedom after we've paid the landlord and the actor's wages we'll only have two silver pennies enough for today, Johann come on, hurry up we're almost ready, we just have to pack up the sea and the park" "about time too do you always have to be so strict with them, Karoline?" "if I'm not strict, it'll all fall apart if you only were a little kind with your strictness" "I am like I must be yes, everyone must be like he is so, let's go" "get going, we're leaving your health, sir thank you" "I'm drinking to your health, demoiselle Philine fine little hands, like silk how can he tolerate such hands to be gnawed at by the tanner's acids?" "I was going to get two apprentices, but that takes cash, sir he just doesn't use his money properly a nice healthy deal if the honorable counselor would like to have a look at my books... fiddlesticks, if the books are in order I'll give him credit" "confirm to the counselor that we're getting daily orders for our skins only the counselor's proposition is most attractive does she find my proposition attractive?" "does she want me to look into her books?" "have a drink, that will loosen your tongue but answer him, Philine!" "she doesn't have to be ashamed she's ashamed, is she?" "there's a remedy against that my friend the clown told me about shall I tell you?" "stay here!" "I want to catch her at once you come out and beg the counselor forgiveness impossible." "but help me now presently now we'll smoke the rabbit out" "she's gone and he told me she had been impatiently awaiting me you old pimp the river" "what if she had done herself some harm get her back or I'll have his books inspected till he doesn't know what hit him on the head" "Philine" "drive on!" "if it were up to me I wouldn't let female vagabonds get into our carriage she doesn't look like a vagabond" "I know, you're in love" "that she ran away from a man... impresses me where are you heading for?" "if she knew she wouldn't have jumped into the river what do you think?" "shall we keep her?" "but she isn't an actress just like I had been at the time, when I ran away you too have had to get along by yourself at the time no, I had you, but she doesn't have anybody" "why do you ask then?" "you can't resist your kind heart anyway nonsense she'll accompany us to Leipzig and then we'll see" "my enemies laugh at me and my friends don't understand why I, Professor Gottsched, am fighting for a German theatre as long as the clown dominates the scene with his vulgar jokes insulting good taste and decency the stage will remain an entertainment for the scum and the rabble" "but if measured life, noble pathos and great feelings would dominate the stage then the theatre could become an example and incentive for the people with great courage, some actors have consented to serve my intentions and ideals first of all the Neuber gang" "who are going to perform in Leipzig one of these days our poets haven't realized yet the immense potential of the dramatic arts that's why we still have to borrow our plays from our Western neighbors in my next lecture I'll read parts of a tragedy, written by myself and inspired by the French mode" ""The Dying Cato" which the Neuber gang will perform in Leipzig" "that was great, Gotthold a professor who dares speak about the theatre in a university lecture, that's an unheard of progress your Gottsched is a courageous man by why should our theatre be modeled after the French fashion?" "we're German after all only the French can be our teachers a truly "Gottsched-ly" thought (harmful to God) and what would be a "Gotthold-ian" thought (pleasant to God) a German stage performing German plays" "a winged camel, a hatted snake it's obvious you know nothing about the stage and where did you study the stage, my dear Armin?" "I had some practice with several gangs of actors" " the Neuber gang too?" "of course, I have the most tender ties to that group my dear, I've been longing for you" " did you come to Leipzig because of me?" " I did almost exclusively because of you" "I'm on leave" "I'm studying at the university for a while the stage, backstage" "I am pleased to admire you tonight next to the Neuberin, demoiselle Lorenz" "Lorenz, Viktorine, get ready" "I hope you'll be able to discover me in the shadow of the great Madame Principal demoiselle" "if you'll excuse me but Viktorine!" "but who's that?" "my friend Philine, she's new welcome" "I am an unofficial member of the gang, as you may have noticed careful, Armin she's under my protection" "what is she sewing?" "a costume for yourself?" "no" "Madame Principal will wear it as Roxane" "I see, full of half-moons the rising star it would suit you too very well it doesn't suit me isn't she performing?" "I am tonight for the first time your debut!" "how charming that I may see this" " you'll be there?" " of course" "are you pleased?" "the rehearsal's over" "what does he want in here?" "I'm a student looking for my actresses" dressing rooms I suppose get out of here at once" "I heard you're looking for a play did he bring me some?" "I could do some translations for you from the French translations?" "is that all he can do?" "why doesn't he write himself?" "isn't he a poet?" "I'm afraid not at least he's not conceited and he has nice clear eyes he shall come tomorrow, I'll let him have a volume of Corneille, he shall try his hand at that" " I eh..." " yes?" "I'd like to see tonight's performance and he has no money... so it was all about a free ticket." "alright, he shall have one the young gentleman is invited to a seat in the audience!" "so, tomorrow morning at Feltin's coffee shop as much as I'm impatiently longing for the rendez-vous, I won't make it earlier and this is my friend Gotthold Ephraim Lessing son of the muses and enthusiastic admirer of the fine arts" "you're a poet?" "get ready, everybody onstage the rehearsal will go on out with you, gentlemen." "we have work to do" "excited?" "a bit that's right, who hasn't stage fever is no good" "Madame Principal do you think I could become a good actress?" "I don't know yet whether you have any talent but sometimes I think you're like me" "I?" "like you?" "you have the fire and the passion one needs for our heavy task that's enough show me your legs but you'll be playing a page tonight" "the Leipzig public will like that" "a wonderful woman a heavenly girl the way she speaks those verses on her lips the stale nonsense is transformed to sparkle and fire" "Gotthold, how can he talk of verses when looking at those divine legs and he wants to become a man on the world?" "I wish to become a poet and write for the Neuberin do you know what I wish?" "that I had a rendez-vous with the girl tomorrow, instead of with Viktorine" "this is a surprise" "Viktorine sends her greetings she is deeply sorry, but she's feeling unwell and couldn't come she's a perfect girl-friend but as actress just a beginner why?" "because otherwise she'd lie better" "I wouldn't lie for my own account" "I guess Viktorine is suffering from an acute case of a "cousin"" "have a seat no, I must go only for a cup of chocolate chocolate?" "your favorite drink?" "I've never tasted it before but it's supposed to be very sweet very sweet indeed two large cups of chocolate who's the new girl with him?" "she's not from Leipzig how does she know?" "we Leipzig women do not throw ourselves at the young barons up to now, she's sitting pretty shy over there" " just you wait." " you should know!" "I'd rather... please, I want to leave now you'll have your chocolate first" "too hot?" "don't you like it?" "I do or, not knowing it, you'd imagined it being much tastier?" "in fact, it's Viktorine's chocolate that's why it doesn't taste good to me no, with Viktorine I'd have had some liquor doesn't she know that I like chocolate much better?" "very well it's my chocolate" "it tasted good now I must leave" "I'll take you home that's not necessary, it's a very short distance then you'll allow me a detour why?" "because it's only by detours one can get closer to her" "not enough, Kohlhardt, not enough if the Lorenz woman looks at me that indifferently, where can I find the necessary fire?" "within yourself, only within yourself you can find every emotion if Kohlhardt looks at you all the time, Madame Principal, how can I look at him with eyes full of love?" "just remember a former love affair of yours, my dear Lorenz rehearsal's over" "Philine!" "come here where have you been?" "I've gone out for a drive didn't I tell you that an actress of the Neuber gang must be more reserved than a princess?" "go back to your work we'll talk later you were right, Philine is just like any other girl don't you demand too much of the young girl?" "if I don't demand everything, I'll get nothing at all" "you're in luck." "Perckhammer is funny, clever and generous only hard to keep not that it matters we'll be gone in a few days anyway other cities, other cavaliers" "I won't be moving on with you, Viktorine you're acting as if it were serious he loves me and I love him very simple such things may exist in a shepherd's play but the baron Perckhammer and a budding actress?" "you don't find this in real life but he told me so himself that he'll marry you?" "no you see" "Armin wouldn't go as far as that he doesn't lie to his girls he tells them straight out what he wants" "very well he shell tell me straight out what he wants" "Your Excellency a visitor" "you?" "here?" "but you've asked me to come but you said you... you'd never come but it's beautiful that you're here, sit down just answer me one question?" "tell me the truth what do you want of me?" "a strange question" "I love you really?" "you don't believe me?" "since you came in here, not any longer strange half an hour ago, Gotthold begged me to leave you and what did you answer?" "I told him..." "I..." "I tried to make him understand... so you've already left me" "I have been dreaming" "Philine dreaming like a child you mustn't go like this" "ah, Philine you don't know my world no I don't but I know that all matters of the heart are very simple it's yes or no" "I'll explain everything" " I'll be frank" " I know you tell one girl frankly what you want, and the next and..." "Philine!" "farewell not like this!" "please listen to me" "yes, I will be very frank" "I have been a coward" "I had given up on you implicitly but heaven made you more courageous than myself and your heart clearer than my reasoning and now I can tell you what I want of you we'll get married if you still want me" "Armin!" "but that's impossible!" "our destinies are very similar my parents too have died long ago" "I'm alone in this world only... that's my august sovereign and dear aunt have a good look at her" "I'm afraid of her she'll look more pleasantly when you're standing before her or there'll be one lieutenant less attached to her personal guard you'll resign?" "with greatest pleasure you want to destroy your life just because of me?" "but you too will be giving up what is dear to you your profession but Armin" "I'm not an actress yet and you won't be one are you sorry?" "I don't know much about art but I can feel that Madame Principal is serving a great cause the table over there and the chair over here" "how do you like my costume?" "what's the meaning of that obscene nonsense?" "we're performing a tragedy yes, a tragedy by Professor Gottsched a real tragedy for the public you should all be glad that I keep the people from falling asleep" "I want to elevate the people's feelings speaking of elevating" "I have some merits to claim for myself too in that field what do you mean?" "the ladies in the audience will certify that very often because of my jokes the husbands have become more passionate and that I have contributed to an increase of the population more than all the poets indirectly of course take off that shirt" "that would offend public morals he insists on wearing that costume?" "I do very well." "then he'll keep away from my stage till he has changed his mind" "I don't want to see him anymore away with you" "I hope, Madame Principal that the echo of your voice won't frighten you in the empty theatre" "I thank you, Karoline this is a great moment we are all proud of you all of you?" "Madame Principal will ruin us all with her pride and stubbornness perhaps she will, Lorenz" "I wouldn't have the courage either but she wouldn't be able to keep her independence without her stubbornness" "Philine get ready what's happened to you, Madame Principal?" "nothing, my child if I could only help you but... but you're glowing, you've met happiness" "I have, Madame Principal" "I'll leave you... and get married" "come with me, I must speak to you" "those we love, they shall betray us first of all be silent, Lorenz" "he always used to be a great admirer of the theatre but more in the dressing rooms than in the audience" "I know he's been in love many times but now he loves very well you've chosen that path it won't be easy a baron and a former actress the people think us lower than thieves or vagabonds why are you so sad?" "ah, my child" "I though you had been of the stuff artists are made of but as soon as a man turns up... it's all over but you have a husband too, Madame Principal but if I ever would have had to chose" "I would always have chosen the theatre" "I must leave now" "I've grown to like you and when I think of it... should one wish a person one loves to take the road of the arts?" "why shouldn't one?" "the sorrow the struggle those are for him who wants to achieve something in art go now go, my child the easier road" "and my best wishes now the curtain is rising in the theatre you can smell the public you can feel laughter sitting in the audience's throats all you have to do is lure it then it'll break out everyone is allowed to play what he is" "the lover love the hero war the scheming woman intrigue only the clown should remain silent" "a comedian must act!" "bravo, bravo here I sit dressed like a gentleman with noble feelings she even kept my clown's jacket what does he want with that old worn-out costume?" "that is a magic jacket!" "it's filled with jokes and buffoonery when I put it on it's as if the devil himself got inside me" "I want to have back my clown's jacket the clown's jacket is my robe my toga it's my uniform" "?" "the living and dying councilor, you must help me you're the citizens' representative, who all love me" "I'll tell the Neuberin that the Leipzig audience needs the clown but if she doesn't listen.... then withdraw her license" "I'll show you what a theatre can be the walls shall crumble from the crowd's laughter" "you were divine" "Karoline but hardly a hand clapped" "I can still hear the applause" "Professor Gottsched applauding his own boring play the first performance without the clown but they're calling for him!" "the public is still alienated and it'll stay alienated, with plays like that how can one strike sparks from dry sand?" "that must be Professor Gottsched go, Kohlhardt" "well, professor?" "a sweet liquor?" "like in old times a toast to your victory over the clown, Karoline has it been a victory, professor?" "I can still hear them shout "Müller, Müller"" "do you want to call him back just because the ignorant crowd shouts for him?" "I owe you much gratitude professor, but don't be angry with me with your translations, with your plays..." "I cannot win against the harlequin!" "is that so?" "she's looking for something else what does she need?" "tragedies which move the heart, or comedies full of sweet laughter laughter, of course!" "she chases the harlequin to please a cultured audience and she wants to introduce him back secretly just that the crowd will applaud that's why I have been touring the roads for years!" "living in coaches and dirty inns fighting the actors, the officials, the inn keepers, the nobility just to preserve the dirty clown for the public?" "I thank you for everything you've done, professor the good you've done but I can't remain in place, I must drive on!" "drive on farewell very well you go your way and I'll go mine" "we'll see who'll achieve more for the German theatre but I'm warning you, Karoline the theatre isn't life's mirror life is dirty only art is pure" "one ought to find something to accuse the Neuberin of the gang's morals nonsense, the Neuberin's strict control of her actresses is well known anything else then abduction of young innocent girls there are more young girls running after the Neuberin than she has use for" "some time ago, at Merseburg in the middle of the night a young vagabond girl joined us" " Merseburg?" " she's now acting with her, a tradesman's daughter" " a tanner?" " don't know her name's Philine there she is!" "at last!" "will he close down the Principal's business?" "I am guilty" "I must set it right" "Gottsched our benefactor will leave us?" "I want to leave him" "the cash box only half of what we had yesterday with the clown once it gets around that he won't perform... then it'll be half of the half and?" "what will you do then, Karoline?" "first we'll have the guest performance in Weißenfels and then... anyway, I'm through with the harlequin" "has she realized now that her main attraction is missing?" "in case you want to put in a word for the clown... it's no use they have filed a complaint against you you're abducting young girls who invented this utter nonsense?" "an unfortunate old man the guardian of the maid Philine Schröder what will she answer to that?" "she had been with me for a short while and she left the gang to marry the young baron Perckhammer she's gone?" "how could you allow that?" "that's procuration" "I beg your pardon?" "our do you seriously believe that a baron would marry an actress?" "and that his aunt the Duchess would give her consent well?" "I'll represent the guardian's rights in court" "young lady" "I'm no young lady" "Philine!" "now listen to me this will be your room and these are your things oh, Armin and this is my nurse who will look after you your nurse will look after me?" "this sounds like a farewell you have a sensitive ear and you hear unspoken things must you leave, Armin?" "I must the Duchess has ordered me to come to Weißenfels it's a good thing don't go, Armin!" "the longer the farewell lasts, the longer it'll take me to come back" "I'll ride like the devil and defend you like a young god" "farewell please, come back soon, Armin, please" "he may kiss my hand, my nephew there he is at last we've ridden all through the night to be here on time, my aunt he's used to turn the night into day anyway how is he?" "excellent, my aunt he hasn't worn the uniform for a long time he's lost weight too" "I've called him here because of his forthcoming marriage excellent, my aunt" " really?" " it is when he consents with such a honest face he really means no no you see, no" "I'm all willing to get married very well then he'll leave for Coburg tomorrow" "Coburg isn't one of my favorite cities, my aunt all the better he'll like the cousin Vera whose hand he will ask in marriage" "I don't like cousin Vera either doesn't like her, rubbish people of rang aren't supposed to like their future spouse but you too have loved once and been happy is he so sure about that?" "I thought... what if it hadn't been like that?" "then you'll even understand me better living without love!" "stop that nonsense" "I've decided that marriage for your own good, and that's it!" "impossible" "I love another woman without asking my permission?" "my heart gave me permission ah, the heart, the noble passion... so one throws away anything, one forgets one's position don't make a scene, Armin it's pure and simple life where did he pick up the woman of his choice?" "in the theatre it's a good thing I've received you all alone that way it'll remain a secret among us a comedienne?" "an actress?" "but you've taught me to appreciate the higher things in art, my aunt the sublime not to be compared to daily life marriage has nothing to do with art it's a matter of interest of the state and the interest of the state must tell him that he cannot marry his... what's her name anyway?" "Philine Schröder marry his Philine Schröder!" "you'll raise a memorial to Philine in your heart and the Schröder woman will find a good husband, is that clear?" "with all respect, no!" "I ask permission to withdraw he wishes to end the conversation?" "very well lieutenant Baron Perckhammer, this is an order:" "he'll leave for Coburg at once and ask for his cousin's hand in marriage!" "Lieutenant von Perckhammer!" "dismissed" "well, did he obey?" " I've sent him to your daughter Vera to Coburg - bravo so everything's in order" "I don't know for the moment Armin rejects your daughter what's the other lady's name?" "why should there be another lady, my cousin?" "because Armin rejects my daughter without knowing her so, who's the happy girl?" "an actress that'll pass how do you know about that?" "from plays, my dear cousin art is the true mirror to life, as you remarked some time ago you're right, Count Paul, I've seen this in a tragedy performance before so let's play it like a tragedy" "I don't understand the actress the baron has fallen in love with insists on her claim but she's poor" "Philine" "Philine" "Count Teuchheim, Armin's uncle" "Armin sends you?" "what news do you bring of him?" "Armin is distressed that he caused the demoiselle to become the subject of some unnecessary gossip" "I don't understand when a gentleman rents such an apartment for a lady... this isn't exactly beneficial for the lady's reputation" "I'm only living here till my marriage that's right" "Armin had been so careless as to mention marriage" "I'm sure the demoiselle had been reasonable and told him that marriage was foolish" "I have his word he couldn't give you his word he's already engaged" "he must tell me himself if you insist" "I'll tell him only I doubt whether he'll come that's the reason for my visit, to dispense with a farewell scene which would be unnecessarily hard for both parties" "you demand... that I renounce him pardon, it is not I who demands it it's his own express wish that's not true!" "of course we wouldn't want to demand such a thing without giving you some compensation compensation?" "is love a business deal?" "who's talking about a deal?" "we just want to sweeten the farewell take it away it's yours if you renounce take the gold away what passion!" "she'll be a great actress one day you're beautiful you're passionate and I'm sure you're also clever renounce that which isn't yours anyway and take... what life has to offer it won't be a little" "if you understand what I mean" "I don't want to understand you you don't know what you're missing and for me it means no luck leave now" "Vera, you're the nicest girl in the world, but..." "I know, all women are called nice when you don't love them soon a man will come who will find you more than nice or should I have lied to you?" "I'm grateful, cousin" "I didn't know before how the truth tasted bitter but not stale everything's alright when I think about our aunt Amalia's look on her face what are you going to tell her?" "cousin Vera and I have agreed not to get married after all we detest each other" "I don't detest you if I hadn't met my great love... you're the best among equals the one-eyed among the blind so you're sad after all?" "the little tear will make me see the world more colorful it's beautiful that there's love in this world" "greetings to your Philine" "the maid Philine Schröder?" "that's me you're under arrest arrest?" "how dare you!" "on the orders of the councilor Klubsch you're to be taken to the women's prison what have I done?" "the maid has run away from her guardian and is penniless and all alone" "a pleasant game a pleasant game the way the heart loses its way and finds itself the way the free spirits binds itself like the wild mountain stream rushes to the sea we too will arrive at our destination one day" "at our far destination" "we've arrived at our destination you think we've arrived at our destination?" "but we'll never arrive at our destination the heart doesn't only beat in luck the heart beats also in distress in separation and in reunion in gay laughter, in bright sparkle but also when crying in the dark" "in seriousness and in play you must ask your heart has it been little or much?" "has it been little or much?" "without complaint drive on, always drive on on life's chariot onwards to the final destination" "she has sung and acted excellently it gave me great pleasure especially since I didn't have to blush at the clown's dirty jokes this time who's he?" "I've seen him in Breslau last year he always travels incognito" "Biron" "Duke of Kurland the secret power behind Russia's throne" "Count Löwen this is my good Karolina Neuberin" "I am grateful for the chance to make the acquaintance of an artist the whole world ought to lie at her feet when one sees you perform one is elevated and transformed that's the magic of the stage and its danger" "one moment" "I must ask my court magician to resolve a little mystery who among your actresses is that Philine... who has turned my nephew's head?" "surely the little one in the shepherdess' dress men like girls like that, don't they, Count Löwen?" "I haven't noticed her so, tell me, Karolina" "Philine didn't travel with us to Weißenfels very clever" "Chamberlain" "let's finish the whole business among ourselves give this to the girl as a farewell present from my nephew does Your Highness think that everything's clear by giving these pearls?" "I think they speak a precise language but she may add a few suitable worlds gratitude, never ending memories, anything a young girl likes to hear you've been in love too once, Karolina" "I don't think I have ever been, Your Highness you haven't?" "then she has lived enough love in her parts you'll manage it if Your Highness will forgive me, but..." "I can't give her these pearls the recipient is imprisoned in the Leipzig women's prison did she get into trouble with the law?" "she's the victim of an intrigue, help me, Your Highness a few lines from your hand to the city council and Philine will be set free" " I am to free that girl?" " yes that's asking a lot!" "very well if she guarantees that this liaison will be definitely over if Baron Perckhammer wants to finish the affair she won't run after him that I know very well. you'll explain to her that actresses are not suitable as spouses for young gentleman of rank," "only as mistresses" "Your Highness!" "why do you insult my profession?" "but I'm not talking about yourself but about actresses in general" "I know, the theatre is the brothel for artistic gentlemen how dare you use that tone with me!" "Your Highness it is my duty to free the theatre from the general contempt very well, she may ennoble the theatre as much as she likes" "I have always supported her in this but a human being is not to be compared to an actor so you don't count actors among human beings?" "nonsense but they are not human beings like we are she defends our honour and throws away our chances no one can proclaim the noble who isn't noble himself no one can impersonate the sublime who doesn't carry the sublime inside himself" "you're too stubborn, Karolina all I said was that actresses aren't equal" " and she couldn't possibly claim..." " I can, Your Highness!" "a great actress is equal to anybody to the noble and the poor, to kings and beggars that's why a great artist is himself of the highest rank she's dreaming one must be born noble and one must be chosen for art" "that's more" "I have suffered your scorn, Karolina because I value you artists but now I see that you don't respect any limits, any privileges" "I won't have it!" "I hate a world without order in the world of art there's another kind of order but as hard, as clear as in real life very well, let her stay in her own order and I'll stay in mine" "your guest performance is over now" "I'm withdrawing my support from you all" "Madame take this" "as a memory of this hour when I've met a great actress and a great human being" "Karolina, what's the matter?" "I've never seen you like this" "we're leaving." "get everything ready" "I want to be alone" "lonely, Madame?" "between the cold marble and the flaming stars?" "aren't you afraid?" "Your Grace, I think you mistake me for a young actress" "I don't you know who I am?" "Venus and Jupiter in conjunction we belong together, Karolina you're very fast, Duke it's my job to mistrust men but tonight, with great happiness, I am overcome with the higher feeling to trust on first sight" "I'm a comedian a woman like any other no, you're my equal you evoke passions, I bind them you manipulate feelings, I make use of them art and politics are closely related both want to dominate men" "why are you telling me this, Duke?" "our destinies have crossed paths stars' paths crossing each other, then separating heaven's game earth's game you'll come with me, you know it" "I won't you're too great to entertain the stupid crowd night after night the stupid crowd you've never know how it feels when they're sitting down there, waiting for their emotions to rise their stupid minds grow sharper" "their speechless lips starting to say the words they couldn't form till now through us, through the stage the crowd finds its own voice the people talk to the world" "I want the silent Germany to start talking no!" "no, you want the same thing that I want you want to dominate men and lead them don't you feel that we belong together?" "you and me, Duke?" "you ordering, I obeying?" "no, not like that perhaps you're alone on this world" "I can't leave my troop very well. then you'll come with your gang you'll perform in Petersburg my place is in Germany" "Germany dragging across the country roads poor and despised, bowing one's back before a little duchess no you belong to the whole world if only you didn't belong to me first" "you'll come?" "I'll come" "she's released from the women's prison to the highest assignment" "I knew it" "you owe your release to the Duchess where's Armin?" "I must go to him at once that's not possible what's the matter?" "what are you keeping from me?" "you must forget Armin" "come" "doesn't the shepherdess want to look after her flock?" "the lambs are starving, the are starting to bleat we'll see better days yet" "go to them." "Müller incites the whole gang to rebellion and don't mention Weißenfels to Philine you don't have any news from Armin either?" "none what is the studiosus doing here?" "I've brought you the translation, Madame Principal thank you, we'll talk about it some other time certainly, I'll leave no, let him stay he knows Armin as you wish, my child" "Madame Principal thinks he'll never return that's not possible!" "perhaps he has his reasons it's bitter to destroy this beautiful trusting emotion but I have to do it a farewell present he sends to you that's not from him his aunt the Duchess gave it to me on his behalf" "no, that cannot be speak up, you are his friend perhaps he thought it'd be easier that way" "so you too believe that he... has left me" "I know it" "he wants to split the Neuber gang apart if you're with me you'll have meat in your pot every day and with me, Lorenz will play all the great ladies another word... and I'll smash his skull" "the chair is not made for the skull" "I won't keep you under lock like nuns in a convent speak up, Principal!" "it's your turn to speak your mind now" "he keeps silent he knows I'm right" "Madame Principal doesn't deserve this she's stubborn and proud that's why we have to starve her stubbornness had made us all great" "with the clown you'll eat your fill perhaps but I wonder if your hearts won't have to starve with him remember the great days we've seen and every day there might be even greater successes starving alone doesn't make you an artist" "throw yourself at the clown then" "where is Madame Principal?" "my name's Neuber" "from the Russian envoy at Dresden" "advance payment for a guest performance in Petersburg with the polar bears" "a whole bag of gold 5.000 taler you're so unnaturally quiet" "you're calling this being quiet?" "putting one's hands in the lap suffering where one shouldn't tolerating what one mustn't" "but what else is left for me to do?" "Armin is my friend but now I wish he could be here and see what he's done to you" "did you know about it?" "where's Madame Principal?" "Madame Neuber, off to Russia!" " when will we leave?" " you small minded people do you believe me now?" "long live Madame Principal with you we'll go to hell that trip's too far for me" "I don't long for such uncertain destinations" "I know, he never feels any longing for anything" "I'm giving you notice" "I'm not keeping him pearls mean tears" "but I cannot cry did you know so little of the world?" "I have been proud" "I thought what the world had been saying were untrue that my heart knew better nothing nothing the whole world is right" "what misfortune has happened to you, Madame?" "a great chance certainly, a great chance" "Philine we're leaving for Petersburg far far away yes far far away" "I don't know whether you still need me?" "we all must pass through the suffering of the heart before we become human through even more suffering till be become artists you'll stay with me, my child" "His Highness the Duke Birol is giving a reception for your troop tonight and when shall we perform?" "Her Majesty the Empress is ill as soon as she's well again she'll admire your art, Madame" "these rooms have been prepared for you by His Highness your people will stay in the other wing" "Philine will stay with me as you wish, Madame" "your servants, Madame a gift from His Highness look Madame Principal, the child is black all over!" "His Highness would like to present this welcome gift flowers which are in bloom even in the Russian winter very beautiful and very cold" "I'd like to express my gratitude to the Duke myself" "His Highness is busy with important matters of the state he'll have you called very soon" "how beautiful" "your dresses, Madame you'll want to change, Madame" "I take my leave like in a fairy tale do you know what goes on in a fairy tale?" "I don't you may wish what you like and you'll get it too but you cannot wish it away away with all of you" "a pity do you want to wish away everything now?" "no, I want to wish it to come to me!" "all this is nothing what more can you wish?" "feeling the flame again if only the heart would burn again all the world aglow everything taking on another meaning" "why do you look at me like that?" "you don't understand this yet" "I've felt all that once myself but now... now everything's dark within yourself but it'll be bright again you too shall love once more" "I don't want to accompany you to the reception later why not?" "I don't feel festive in here yet and I'd like to study some more" "stay here all my letters unanswered and she's left without a single line without a farewell" "I thought too that you had left her not a word from you and then those pearls you might have believed it, but she?" "how could she imagine for a moment that the pearls came from me?" "as farewell present what a treason!" "what fidelity against herself against the voice deep in the heart has she been untrue to herself when she loved me?" "answer me next to you, she would at best have been a baroness but now she'll be what destiny has chosen her for an artist she'll become what she had always been deep down you speak of her as if... as if you love her!" "no yes" "I love a shadow of her more glowing than the living woman an image more flowering than reality" "I don't understand you if I succeed her fate will be immortalized you're talking and talking but I can only hear one thing lost irretrievably and what's to become of me?" "everyone must search for his own path in life" "I know a path for myself but perhaps it won't lead to life down there in Turkey there's war there I'll find what I'm searching for where would you find what you've never searched for?" "what?" "yourself" "Holy Mother of Kazan devilish French stuff" "what are they singing?" "Russian love" "I prefer Russian food" "hold on to your own wife if you can, we want to be free at last free free we want to be free" "double the guards" "and only trustworthy men who is trustworthy, Your Highness?" "our enemies are powerful and generous" "then we'll be even more generous, General" "Her Majesty's personal physician" "Your Highness the feast's noise can be heard up to the Empress' rooms" "I wish the German comedians to enjoy Russia's hospitality fully" "I advise to end the feast, Her Majesty is gravely ill the more important not to frighten the court what if Her Majesty should die all of a sudden" "I would be punished by death so you'll be fighting for your own life too when fighting for Her Majesty's life" "His Highness wants to accompany you personally to the feast" "Karolina at last" "how I've waited for you!" "and I've come" "but now I'm afraid" " Russia frightens you?" " it does it's strange and wild but my own heart frightens me much more your heart has led you to me" "welcome, Karolina what could I be to you?" "I need someone who relights my fire when I'm extinguished who supports me when I'm stumbling who will go down with me when I'm falling" "Biron, I love you, but I mustn't lose myself" "The Czarina is ill mustn't you be with her?" "I don't want to you've loved her once" "I haven't." "I have only loved power and I achieved power but you I love" "I always thought love makes you feel good, but it hurts me power hurts too, but one must seize it when it comes one's way only the stingy and the timid stay in the dark, without exit" "I'm not my own master your former life is canceled" "I'm married" "I've already applied for your divorce, I'll grant it tomorrow" "I can't leave my people the comedians?" "I'll pay them, they'll betray you and leave you it makes no difference, it remains my task in life it's a matter of life and death, and you speak of the theatre?" "that's my life abandon yourself be a woman for once burn your life" "I'm burning burning" "I can't tell you sweet words like the lovers in the tragedies but when I tell you that I love you then this is a truth nobody on this world can change" "where are my people?" "the ladies and gentlemen have preferred to go downstairs down there?" "if I may advise Madame, down there is a place fit only for drunkards" "I must guard my people another guard" "have you gone mad?" "where have you been?" "tell me where you've been we must leave at once" "I won't let them split my gang apart help me" "get the carriages ready" "you're not any better than we are" "up with you" "I'm the greatest artist in the world" "aren't you ashamed?" "I?" "ashamed?" "what about you?" "of course when a duke comes along..." "Karolina forgive me, don't leave us no, I'll stay with you but help me now to get the others out of here we'll meet at the carriages in the courtyard" "what kind of an actor are you?" "tonight I'm a wine barrel, my dear a beautiful part" "we're leaving at once don't ask" "I'll fetch Philine, you'll get the others ready" "I deliver myself into your hands, noble lords so that my sacrificial death may save the others lead me to into the cruel Tamerlane's arms you, Mother of God, have mercy upon me" "come quick we're leaving this palace and this country you look as if someone has died" "I myself have died come quick" "the Czarina has died" "the Czarina has died" "the state council will assemble in half an hour inform the Minister" "where is she?" "gone guards" "Field Marshall?" "Duke Biron, I'm arresting you in the name of the new Czarina" "halt." "order of the new Empress nobody may leave the palace that doesn't apply to us" "do you have any proof?" "an excellent proof open up" "Karolina" "quick" "drive on" ""The Clown"" "look who's here here you are again the success in Russia wasn't satisfactory, I gather now we're good enough for you, here in Leipzig" "you won't get a license to perform any longer let me tell you we don't like any competition for our local comedians" "I see then I'll find myself another venue that's utterly in vain" "I strongly advise her to leave town at once otherwise I'll give the order to have you thrown out there we are, on the road again" "I'm fed up with it if we're not allowed to perform in Leipzig very well, then Leipzig will have to come to us we shall perform and if necessary, in the fields" ""Bose's Garden"" "I'm worried about you, Karolina not necessary, Professor" "I'm in the middle of a fight, that makes me feel well again don't you want to tell me of your plans?" "presently there's the printer's messenger here are the first copies" "to honor the citizenry of the city of Leipzig in deep gratitude a new play will be performed today:" ""The Clown's autodafé"" "including a prelude written by Karolina Neuberin bravo, Karolina this is a historic deed" "I wish you all the luck thank you professor, you've contributed as well now friends, we'll wake up those sleepy Leipzigers" "Clown!" "Clown!" "your bells ring your death is imminent" "we've invited you here, clown we've had you called out in all the streets but as I can see, you didn't come" "here's the tribunal who will pass judgment on you the prosecutors are:" "the old man whom you've fooled the husband on whom you've cheated the hero whom you've covered with spite" "clown!" "appear before our tribunal!" "ready?" "you're powerless, muse of the German dramatic arts dishonored and violated you've fallen the laughing stock of the back streets despised by the rich and the poor alike in the name of the German stage we accuse you, clown" "appear!" "you're too much of a coward you won't come they've captured him and brought him here bring him here" "you, who have stolen decency and noble feelings robbing shame and veneration disturber of the peace transforming all honest laughter into screams debauched, turning the stage into a brothel defend yourself" "wait for the sign, when I whistle" "we throw you down from our holy planks and deliver your pitiful shape to the cleansing flames halt!" "don't burn me yet the clown as a roast isn't a tasty dish" "I cannot die for I am immortal the clever, laughter invoking clown cannot be eaten by any flame" "at last, professor does my wooden clown's stick win against your sharp pen?" "away with the Neuberin, away with boredom he who's a real comedian will join the clown" "there you are no one will help us" "this had been your last performance" "Madame Neuber now everybody has left us except you our baggage plundered or burnt and the innkeeper even asks for damages otherwise he won't let us go" "I've saved something yet for you damned. the innkeeper leads our last horse into his stable now we're finished it's better you keep them but the necklace was to be our last reserve it won't save us either" "you're very generous, Karolina if you hadn't quarreled with the Duchess at the time then we'd know to whom we could turn to now be silent why shouldn't she know about it what am I not to know?" "it was because of you that we've lost the Duchess' favour you'll know why but that's terrible you ought to be ashamed come with my, my child go to bed now" "this is your room so because of me... forget it tomorrow is another day" "why did you have to make her sad?" "to thank her for having stayed with us?" "what use can she be to us?" "but Johann, this doesn't look like you despair?" "we've fallen into many an abyss before and you've always found a way out have I?" "you think so?" "alright" "I'll think it over perhaps I'll find a way out" "but Johann!" "I only thought... perhaps we ought to try again... with that number... no!" "not that!" "never!" "I'd rather go begging in the streets" "Karolina shall we run away?" "right now?" "bravo" "I'll get the horse from the stable wake up Philine" "Philine" ""Don't be angry!" "I'll be back soon." "Philine"" "I've managed to get the horse out where's Philine?" "now she's gone too" "I always thought so we've no luck any more" "now now" "you won't give up now that would be the limit but I'm still here and you won't get rid of me that easy" "come now before the innkeeper hears us" "Did Karolina sent you?" "that would have been most awkward, my child" "Madame Principal would have forbidden my coming here she's such a stubborn woman she'll break apart through her pride one day" "Your Highness forgive her her pride it bears witness of a courageous and independent heart to persevere in a great destination even if it might mean becoming a beggar so, what is it you wish, demoiselle Schröder?" "justice and quick help for a great woman who has the stuff to be a great man stop let the Neuberin stay a woman and prove what we women are capable of if you don't help the Principal, she'll be finished" "don't talk in riddles, what's the matter?" "she's all alone, the gang scattered all over the costumes burned she is left hungry, on the roads" "My Neuberin?" "but that's... that's impossible why doesn't she come to me?" "Your Highness, I thank you" "I'll hurry to her to report halt she wants something else?" "no, Your Highness nothing to ask for herself?" "if you permit" "I have out with it, take off that altruistic mask" "I don't understand Your Highness does she imagine I don't know about her affair with Armin doesn't she find it strange to come here like that?" "Your Highness do you imagine it had been easy?" "yet she dared to come here for the Neuberin I dared fiddlesticks and to finish this love affair or had she been hoping for a new beginning by meeting Armin?" "but I knew he couldn't be here what if he were?" "then I would never have come her voice rings clear and true one might almost believe her so?" "what is it she wants?" "Armin sent me those pearls as a farewell present" "I know and?" "I don't want them" "I've never wanted them she's stubborn and clever she imagines if she gives back the pearls she'll give back the farewell as well" "I've cried a thousand tears for each pearl it's enough now" "I have renounced and now take them so that the tears may no longer flow and that my love shall end" "behind her words speaks a pure heart she speaks the truth" "what am I going to do with her?" "Your Highness if I may go now no running away is a bad medicine against love she ought to have learned this by now there sit down and wait a bit" "and the pearls..." "I don't know either what to do with those pearls" "here he is does she realize now how foolish it had been to come here?" "what does she say?" "she says nothing well, then I can't say anything either" "Philine you're wounded a small scratch from a Turkish bullet that you've come to me!" "at last" "I didn't know that you were here, Armin why did you come back?" "to beg for my Principal" "I see you've given me a farewell at the time, Armin and the pearls how could you have believed that I gave them to you?" "they weren't from you?" "Armin, I'm glad they came from the Duchess now we can part without bad feelings farewell the Duchess wants me to give you back the pearls?" "good heavens, no!" "not again all that!" "I must go now" "Philine everything's alright we'll get married no, it's impossible now I've become what I hadn't been at the time an actress what if you'd have to chose between me and the stage?" "I have already chosen the stage, Armin and I must remain true to it" "Madame Neuber isn't here any more?" "she's run away at night that's the way with those damned comedians" "I'm sorry about that and he doesn't know where she may have gone?" "no idea look at him the young gentleman calls here each day too to enquire after her perhaps he too has claims on the fugitive no claims, only an urgent request do I have for Madame Neuber it would be best if he addresses his request to Weißenfels" "I am ordered to bring Madame Principal there at all costs" "the horse is tired it would be best to roll into the trench and die as it would suit a vagabond if you let me die next to you, Karolina we must drive on drive on?" "no one follows us everybody is following us, everybody who ever believed in you, Karolina everybody listen drive on drive on" "an echo" "we still have an echo in this world he may present his request of the Neuberin to me" "Your Highness must forgive me what I bring is only of value to the Principal my friend has written a tragedy yes, a tragedy in the German language let me see it" "Karolina has always longed for this we'll make a present of it to her when she's here but will she come?" "my riders are on her tracks for three days she lay ill in Altenburg then they threw her out an ill woman?" "we'll find her and make her well again but what's to become of her then?" "she'll remain what she always has been the great Neuberin without her gang?" "the actors have betrayed her to the clown actors are like children when they were hungry they were tempted by the filled table and when they had eaten their fill they longed for the great performances you think you can call them here, Your Highness?" "all the Duchess had to do was promise them new parts they all came look at this" "Feigin, Kohlhardt" "Lorenz, Viktorine, everybody a flock without a shepherd call Philine to me, studiosus" "Philine" "Gotthold what are you thinking, my aunt?" "making use of the time till the Neuberin's here" "I wished the Neuberin would come soon, for Philine's sake and for my sake, that she may never come!" "I couldn't bear it if Philine went away leave with her then with her?" "with the comedians?" "how so?" "you still think you have to lower yourself to her you don't realize that she's been standing beside you for a long time now ennobled by her art" "that you have come here!" "a good sign" "Your Highness strange your characters speak like human beings one knows and yet they seem to be more than we are the heroine is a young girl of your age, Philine and she's a reflection of your own fate" "that's perfect, then you'll be able to play her without the Neuberin?" "you're right, my aunt we'll study the play together" "Gotthold, the actors and I you?" "very well you try it out what's the play called?" "Emilia Galotti we must drive on the horse is worn out doesn't matter anyway" "I dreamed we were performing a supernaturally beautiful play" "but the clown again interfered with his dirty jokes you've banished him, you've burned him and now he's gone no" "you're here my true Johann" "being true is the greatest proof of love" "I always thought I didn't love you but now as it's time for farewell, I know..." "I have truly loved you the fever is going down" "yes" "because the great cold approaches" "shall we stay here?" "yes no innkeeper can chase us away from here over me no innkeeper has any power any more and no prince" "I won't feel hunger any more and no rain applause" "I won't hear any more and no whistling" "only that I... have achieved so little" "that... still hurts" "Karolina don't leave us!" "no one needs me any more we must drive on" "yes drive on" "they are there the clouds again" "Karolina" "they are calling me answer me" "drive on drive on" "this house is built as a memory to Karolina Neuberin it has been built out of the deprivations and the struggles of her life out of her laborious traveling on the country roads on behalf of true art the theatre shall have a permanent place here" "which will be useful only... if it is imbued with the Neuberin's creative spirit may she live on in your work you, Armin, will administer the inheritance and now that I hand over this house to you, Philine" "I place into your hands the endless task she had been serving so well the task to which you too have devoted your life" "Karolina Neuberin you were homeless here's your home now you were restless here your bold spirit may come to rest what you have longed for you haven't been able to see it realized but in everything we shall create" "may your restless longing be present" "this is the outward memorial to your victory we take possession of it in deep gratitude to your own life and as long as our hearts shall beat it shall drive us onwards with your admonishing call:" "drive on, drive on" "subtitles: serdar202"