The House in Montevideo (play)

The House in Montevideo or Traugott's Temptation (English: It's a gift ) is a comedy by Curt Goetz. The German -language premiere was held on December 27, 1950 in Berlin, in 1945 was the world premiere at the Playhouse Theatre on Broadway in New York, Goetz's former home, occurred. Theme of the play is the moral, the temptation and the reward of virtue.

Origin

The House in Montevideo based on the 1924 one-act play written by Goetz The Dead Aunt, the author goal for the four-act drama a good 20 years after its creation.

Action

The first and the fourth act of the comedy play in an unspecified small German town, the second and third act in Uruguay's capital, Montevideo.

Act 1

In a small German town leads, respected by all citizens, the most virtuous senior teacher Professor Doctor Traugott Hermann Nägler with his wife Marianne and their 12 children a happy life. Many years earlier had led Näglers virtue to the fact that his sister was violated because of an illegitimate pregnancy from the family and emigrated to South America. One day the pastor of the town on the Näglers brings the news of the death of the outcast sister and announced that an inheritance for Atlanta, the eldest daughter of Traugott's, was provided. Even if Nägler initially categorically exclude that his daughter could take this heritage, he finally is persuaded by Pastor, Mayor and wife to travel together with the pastor and Atlanta to Montevideo and to learn about the heritage site.

Act 2

The group enters the residence of the deceased, in which they find many young girls in resort. Due to ambiguous statements of the housekeeper, coupled with language -related communication problems Traugott Nägler keeps the house for a brothel and leaves it furiously along with his daughter. The pastor, however, provides by further demands eventually for clarification: The deceased had made under the stage name of Maria Machado career as a singer, had come to world fame and had such a wealth developed, that they of the money a foundation for single young girls and unmarried mothers had been launched in order to save this one to their similar fate. It turns out that Atlanta several real estate inherits and that the will contains a clause stating that, should "at dared flock of my virtuous brother, Professor Doctor Traugott Hermann Nägler " repeat a " tragedy like mine ", ie, should be brought a child out of wedlock in the house of the professor, the mother of this child inherited a considerable fortune. This clause is limited in time to one year, it is not met, falls to the money of the Foundation Maria Machado.

Act 3

Without the knowledge of the tour group Atlanta's fiancé Herbert traveled with to Montevideo and now makes its appearance to finally stop at Atlanta's hand. Traugott Näglers virtue falters, he is torn between his conviction, an illegitimate child was a disgrace, and the prospect of wealth and high expectations in the home. Finally, the community hopes to generous donations from the Site. Nägler attempts by Herbert ambiguous allusions ( " One might indeed eat dessert before soup " ) to persuade his daughter to impregnate first and marry later. Herbert does not understand the hints though, and eventually Nägler is aware of the enormity of it as required by his daughter and his future son. It can be slapped by Herbert, promises him to take his application " in benevolent consideration " and decides to renounce the heritage and return with daughter, Pastor Herbert and to Germany.

Act 4

Back in Germany is of course the disappointment at the loss of heritage large, but also the indignation at the monstrous condition of the will. Traugott's decision is accepted, and finally marriage preparations for Atlanta and Herbert are taken. The wedding will take place on the ship Atlanta, on the already got married Traugott and Marianne and after they have named their oldest daughter. Great is the disappointment when they need to know that this ship is too short according to the most current measurement by 27 inches, to still be considered as a ship. Therefore, the captain does not have the right to perform marriages. It turns out that for this reason all ever closed on the Atlanta marriages are invalid, thus the marriage of Traugott and Marianne Nägler. The clause in the will is fulfilled: Marianne Nägler even born and raised 12 children out of wedlock in Traugott's home and is the heir to the fortune.

Films

The House in Montevideo was filmed twice: 1951, directed by Curt Goetz and Valerie von Martens, which is also the leading roles played ( Main article: The House in Montevideo ( 1951) ), and 12 years later, and under the direction of Helmut Käutner with Heinz Rühmann Ruth Leuwerik ( main article: The House in Montevideo ( 1963) ).