Gruselkabinett 98. Der Schimmelreiter

In a stormy night a traveler lost his horse, said however perceive the shadow of a white horse rider. He reached barely an inn, in which he wrote about the strange encounter. From the old schoolmaster, he soon learns about the history of mold rider who is once called Hauke ​​sharks, son of a surveyor, grew up ...

A wide range of stories of showers romance has been represented in the Chamber of Horrors, surprises there again and again. And so it is at least unusual that in a commercial-scale radio play series and classic literature such as The White Horse Rider by Theodor Storm is implemented. The implementation of the amendment is Stephan Boseinius and Marc Group in 100 minutes very well done, very intense, the story of Hauke ​​sharks act therein, to the horror elements very restrain and only dotted come to the surface, such as the very successful and atmospherically dense frame story, in which a light shower is always felt. The focus, however, is the life story of Hauke ​​sharks, which already collaborates as a child with zeal in the maintenance and improvement of dikes and soon has the objective to implement as a new reeve his ideas. It is this passion that keeps coming back to the fore, where the action is complex and describes growing up the young man. Really scary it is then in the last third of the radio play, as the eponymous mold occurs in the act again. Everything is very close, told very interwoven and can so very well maintained despite the rather quiet charisma.

Wonderful are the speakers who are with audible much enthusiasm in the matter. Johannes Raspe is as Hauke ​​sharks quite wonderful, with its sonorous and versatile voice he can deliver a very compelling and credible vision of early adolescence to adulthood. Kristine Walters pleases me as Elke Volkert, the wife of Hauke, as well, with smooth, soulful sound they may leave a very intense and haunting impression. Peter Weis is heard in the background story as a schoolmaster and takes on the rather long narrative passages, which he transforms varied and entertaining with emphasis. Other speakers include Hans Bayer, Dagmar von Kurmin and very promising, very young Clara Fischer.

Grandios again the acoustic conversion, lived more than usual from this series the use also sounds for the atmospheric design, which interweave closely with the melodies used. But the raging sea or heavy rain shower provide plenty of atmosphere, so you very well in the plot can put yourself into it. Very successful and implemented consistent!

The illustration for the cover dates back from the late Firuz Askin and contributes its typical romantic-inspired drawing style, which is reflected in particular in the wonderful background landscape with extensive dikes. Before dark, cloudy sky, the huge mold with Hauke ​​including scowling expression emerges clearly.

Conclusion: Certainly an unusual for the chamber of horrors, but also a very successful. The intense atmosphere that sets rather than on a quiet narrative on shock moments, is generated by the outstanding speakers and the atmospheric conversion, so that one feels transported in the middle of the dikes.