After eight world premieres, numerous musical awards and around 2 million spectators, we are announcing the ninth musical premiere by successful composer Dennis Martin for summer 2026:
„For me, the new musical project is a real labor of love,“ explains Composer and Author Dennis Martin, who was recently awarded the prestigious „German Music Author Award“ by GEMA. „The story of the white horse rider has been haunting me for many years. The idea of turning the story into a musical has never left me and over the years has really become an inner need. I consider Theodor Storm's story to be one of the greatest works of German literature. He manages to masterfully combine a classic outsider story with the eerie and supernatural elements of a gothic novel in the style of Bram Stoker (Dracula) or Edgar Allen Poe. The constant alternation between haunting and reality creates enormous tension.
Above all, however, Storm tells an incredibly moving love story in the Schimmelreiter, which is reminiscent of Shakespeare's „Romeo and Juliet“ in its emotional depth and yet is completely different in its own way. Storm's poetic description of nature is also unique. The landscape in which the story is set is not just a mere backdrop, but an integral part of the plot. The sea as a permanent, unpredictable threat and at the same time as a mirror of the human soul functions as a character in its own right. Just like the mysterious white horse, which seems to be out of this world. I would like to transfer this phenomenal story to the musical stage with its maelstrom effect, its narrative power and its incredible beauty and I am delighted that the time has come and that my dream will finally come true in summer 2026!“
„It is important to us that each new spotlight production bears its own signature so that we can always offer our audience a new and special experience. We envisage a very physical production for our „Schimmelreiter Musical“, in which modern, energetic dance also plays a key role. We are therefore very happy to have found a renowned and experienced director in Simon Eichenberger, who is also an outstanding choreographer. His productions are characterized above all by the fact that dance and movement are an elementary narrative component. Simon has put together a top international creative team that will surprise our audience at the Schlosstheater Fulda with a completely new style,“ explains the producer Peter Scholz.
„I am particularly pleased that we have finally managed to realize a joint project,“ says Simon Eichenberger. „I have long followed with great admiration how great musical productions are created in Fulda at the highest level. Now I can be part of this special stage myself - with a heartfelt wish from Dennis Martin and a unique literary classic: „Der Schimmelreiter“, which is now being reinterpreted as a musical.“
„After my last directorial work - for example at the Seefestspiele Mörbisch on Europe's largest stage or the world premiere of „Die Königinnen“ in Linz - I am now particularly attracted to the intimate atmosphere of the Schlosstheater Fulda. Here, the audience is very close to the action, which enables a direct, emotional connection to the production. The challenge - and at the same time the attraction - is to transform this space into a wild sea and mystical stormy worlds. Because the force of nature itself is the real protagonist in this story. With spotlight, I can expect a creative team of the highest caliber - people who are among the best in the industry. I am particularly pleased to be responsible for the choreography in this production. This allows me to shape the energy of the plot and the narrative form even more intensively from a single source. The conditions couldn't be better for bringing something truly unique to the stage in Fulda,“ says the director Simon Eichenberger.
The CONTENT
In a long lost time, somewhere behind the dykes of the North Frisian coast, a village lives in constant fear of the forces of nature. Devastating storm surges, which the people interpret as God's punishment, have already claimed countless victims.
However, the young dyke count Hauke Haien does not believe in higher powers, but in reason and mathematics. He sees the world in lines and numbers and is convinced that he can build a dyke that can withstand even the strongest storm surges. However, his project not only becomes a battle against the sea, but also against the distrust and superstition of the villagers.
Only one person sticks by him - Elke. She is clever and empathetic and the only one who recognizes the sensitive and vulnerable person behind the restless and ambitious dyke count. A connection develops between the two outsiders, which soon turns into an unshakeable and unconditional love. But the higher the new dyke grows, the deeper the rifts between the two dyke counts and the village community become.
When Hauke one day comes into possession of a mysterious horse that seems to be out of this world, haunting and reality finally begin to blur in the minds of the villagers. Who is this Hauke Haien? Is he perhaps in league with the devil?
The old seer Trin’ Jans knows. She has always known. Hauke Haien has conjured up something that should never have been allowed to awaken....
Der Schimmelreiter. A story as unpredictable, raw and poetic as the landscape in which it is set.
The creative team
The English set designer Charles Quiggin together with the Austrian Michael Balgavy (video design, visual artwork) and the Czech Aleš Valášek (costume design) will be responsible for the set. For the lighting design, the Austrian Stephanie Affleck and for the make-up Elke Quirmbach can be won.
In addition, state-of-the-art puppetry will be used for the first time in a spotlight production. To this end, spotlight musicals is working with a South African puppet company that is developing a life-size, fully movable and technically complex horse puppet for the new spotlight show, which will be a central component of the production. „Even the first prototype left me speechless,“ enthuses composer Dennis Martin. „The puppet's movements are absolutely magical! Our „ghost horse“ will give you goosebumps in the theater,“ Martin is certain.
The rest of the stage design will also offer many new features that meet the highest international standards. With elaborate video projections, integrated, large-scale LED elements, sophisticated wind and rain effects and new surround sound, the „Schimmelreiter Musical“ will be an immersive theater experience.
„We want to make the Schimmelreiter world of the sea, storm surges and mystical nature tangible for our audience. That's only possible in the theater. If you want to experience the „Far North“, you don't have to go to Hamburg, Kiel or Sylt in summer 2026, but to Fulda!“
Pre-sale start „Der Schimmelreiter“
The first previews will begin on May 30, 2026, with the world premiere on June 5, 2026. 83 screenings will be offered until September.
The advance sale for „Der Schimmelreiter“ starts on June 03, 2025 at 10:00 am. Tickets are available online, by telephone and at all advance booking offices. The Game plan and the Prices can already be viewed now.