The Chemistry Christmas Show Lecture on 12.12. was almost an 'Armageddon on campus'.
When it bangs, hisses and bubbles and the audience can hardly keep their seats in the large lecture hall of Haus Z IV in Zittau from astonishment and laughter, then it's time again for the traditional Chemistry Christmas Show Lecture.
This year, on December 12, the audience witnessed the symbiosis of two action classics that are hard to beat in terms of suspense. The story is about two lovers, Grace and AJ. But AJ suddenly disappears. Boredom does not set in as the Terminator accidentally ends up in Upper Lusatia, where he meets Grace. Meanwhile, AJ and Grace's father Harry have to fly into space to destroy an asteroid that is threatening the Earth. After bombastic experimental adventures, the asteroid is finally destroyed thanks to the ignition of the Terminator and Zittau is saved! The happy ending is made perfect with the marriage of AJ and Grace by the principal.
"Terminator" and "Armageddon" in one 'chemical cast'! A well-rounded affair, according to Matthias Jeschke, the main responsible person. The show lecture has existed in this form since 2004, and since 2015 he has been organizing the "chemical play", which is a play with a real script. The whole thing is paired with impressive show experiments, which, together with a lot of wit and humor, inspire young and old.
Every year, a new script is created by Matthias Jeschke. He is enthusiastic about it every year, as is the entire team behind the show lecture. Matthias Jeschke is convinced that if it weren't for the personal commitment of everyone involved, the performance would be unthinkable. The team is diverse and changes every year. This time, it consisted of a mixture of students, employees, graduates and representatives of the university management.
From the idea to the presentation, how does it actually work? "Initial explorations usually begin directly after the previous show lecture," explains Matthias Jeschke. This is followed by brainstorming and writing the script. A first rough version of the performance is finalized before the start of the respective winter semester. Preparations for the experiments with preliminary video shoots and photo shoots start at the beginning of October. Things get really exciting on the weekend before the performance, when the script is rehearsed.
A lot of work, but also a lot of fun, as the principal and the chancellor of the HSZG can confirm. Karin Hollstein has been involved since 2015, but this year was a first for the Rector. "The collaboration was relaxed, very constructive and uncomplicated. Both were also on site at the weekend for brief rehearsals of the respective scenes," says Matthias Jeschke, pleased with the university management's commitment.
Are there already plans for next year? "After the show lecture is before the show lecture," smiles the main organizer and wishes everyone a wonderful Christmas season.
