Karl May Games: Battles, Dance, and Explosions in New Kalkberg Play

The Karl May Games in Bad Segeberg are set to launch their 73rd season with the premiere of "Im Tal des Todes" (In the Valley of Death) on June 27. The new production promises a thrilling spectacle, blending loud explosions, intense fight scenes, and lively celebrations with music and dance for its audience.

The play unfolds in the fictional Mexican village of San Miguel. The villain, Roulin, portrayed by Florian Fitz, captures villagers and forces them to work in his toxic mercury mine. The iconic characters Winnetou, played by Alexander Klaws, and Old Shatterhand, portrayed by Bastian Semm, step in to thwart Roulin's plans. Their mission includes preventing a war between the Maricopa and Chiricahua Apache tribes.

"Im Tal des Todes" is packed with action and special effects. Audiences can expect a hacienda to explode, a stagecoach to be attacked and set ablaze, and a chieftain's funeral to transform into a combat spectacle. In contrast, the village celebrations in San Miguel, led by Cantina boss Senorita Miranda (Isabel Varell), are depicted as colorful and joyous, inviting the entire village to dance.

Adding moments of quirky humor is Sir John Raffley, a British aristocrat on an adventure holiday, played by Heinrich Schafmeister. Director Nicolas König described the play as an "exciting whitewater ride" for the audience, concluding with a happy resolution. The production, with a budget of seven million euros, includes 1.2 million euros allocated for the stage design and theater maintenance. Performances run until September 6.

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The piece should be like an exciting whitewater ride for the audience. In the end, everyone is happy.