The performance of the eloquent cabaret artist Jochen Malsheimer, who pauses on Wednesday morning at the counter of the Mainz lower house, was only planned for the evening with his program “Ermpftschnuggn trødå”. What the Mainz head of cultural affairs, Marianne Grosse (SPD) and Mainz lawyer Oliver Sucher, as representatives of the lower house support association, have to announce this morning is just as important and weighty: After Stephan Denzer's surprising departure as managing director and planner of the Mainz lower house at the end of September an interim management team has been found to take over the fate of the well-known and renowned cabaret stage for the time being: Britta Zimmermann and Gianluca Caso. Both have been entrusted with central tasks in the small lower house team for years and take the helm together.

Jochen Remmert

Airport editor and correspondent Rhein-Main-Süd.

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On Wednesday, Grosser said in the foyer of the House of Commons, on the question of whether the two of them will perform the task permanently after the selection process has been completed, one cannot comment at the moment - precisely because of the impending process.

With the two “Unterhäusler”, however, it was possible to find a competent and committed duo that now gives the association the time it needs to prepare for the vacancy created by Denzer's departure without any time constraints.

The relief is great

Britta Zimmermann, who has been part of the team of five women and men who have been keeping the lower house running for six years, is undoubtedly tackling the new task with verve: "I'm damn happy that we're finally playing again," she said, beaming with joy in the conversation the press. Since the House of Commons decided to introduce the 2-G rule to protect against corona infection, i.e. only fully vaccinated and recovered guests are allowed in, they are now able to allocate all seats - special distance rules are no longer necessary and wearing mouth and nose protection is optional.

Zimmermann's relief after the months marked by the corona pandemic, which were so difficult for all event venues and artists, was evident.

The demanding task of putting together a program for the House of Commons is not new to her, in 2019 she did it responsibly for the first time.

According to Zimmermann, planning for 2022 has long been in the works, and plans for 2023 are firmly in view.

Zimmermann's team-mate Gianluca Caso, who is also often called Luca for a short time in the lower house, ensures that the return to normality and game operations also work well technically.

The man, who originally comes from the hotel industry, has been taking care of everything in the lower house for 17 years that belongs to a successful evening of cabaret and cabaret around the stage and during the breaks.

Work closer together

He knows every screw, every stone in the house, and he also knows to report that the lower house has been equipped with new air-purifying filters, which should make gaming even more comfortable and a little less worry-free for guests and artists alike.

Gianluca Caso modestly sees his role in the interim management in the background, that of his team colleague Zimmermann a little further ahead.

Seekers and Grosser were both relieved and grateful that with the new duo it now appears possible to lead the House of Commons back to a quiet and successful operation after the deep valley of the corona pandemic and the uncertainties after the surprising departure at the top.

The relief is easy to understand because the cabaret has big things to celebrate next year: In 1972, the German Cabaret Prize, which has long been considered the most important award for cabaret and cabaret, was awarded for the first time in the lower house.

It is not only for this purpose, the development association plans, that the small lower house should work more closely with other, larger Mainz venues.