The Origin and Development of Eurythmy 1923–1925

GA 277d — 28 May 1924, Naumberg

Eurythmy Performance

Telegram from Marie Steiner to Rudolf Steiner, Hildesheim, May 30, 1924

Naumburg good Disturbance attempt afterwards Forms received thank you

From a letter from Rudolf Steiner to Marie Steiner, Dornach, May 31, 1924

My dear Mouse,

I find the disruption of the Erfurt performance very sad. Of course, a single person can cause something like this, and it can have the worst effects on the audience. When I look at the names of the cities where you are performing, I say to myself: how much has happened in these cities in recent years, which were truly peaceful during my time in Thuringia. I was so delighted by your beautiful, inspiring description of the German heartland that I was all the more saddened when your letter arrived with the bad news. I hope your health is not suffering too much from the strain and excitement. It is very unfortunate that Stuten had to stay behind. I have not heard anything more about him. I hope he will get better soon.

From a letter from Marie Steiner to Rudolf Steiner, Hanover, June 1, 1924

We are now in Hanover, had our dress rehearsal today, performance tomorrow. Donath is sick again, is in bed today, but hopes to appear tomorrow. I am quite tired today, have just come from coffee with Haddon and Müller, and must soon go to a social gathering with other members. The theater—the Schauburg—is very beautiful. What will await us there! Everything went smoothly in Hildesheim—attendance was low, but as is usual at the Hildesheim Theater: about 150 people. However, a number of people from Hanover had made the trip over, as there is only one member in Hildesheim, Hensel. The theater director was very pleased (so they say) and even divided the proceeds between the two of us instead of charging rent. There was enthusiastic applause; only one reviewer from a well-known local newspaper, a stupid boy, says Hensel, is said to have railed against the dancing of poems. Otherwise, everyone is said to have been enthusiastic. In Naumburg, the hall was completely full and the atmosphere was very lively, with lots of applause. When it was all over, a man jumped onto the stage—at first it looked as if he wanted to thank everyone for the entertainment—then he started talking about how this was the first time anthroposophy had been presented to the public, that people should consider where they were—in the town hall, in the imperial crown—here the story became quite incomprehensible . He protested against the misuse of German poetry. I asked: “By what right are you standing there talking?” Whereupon our gentlemen set in motion and carried him down. The audience was on our side. But the next day I heard the opinion of certain members that he had been treated too harshly and should have been allowed to finish speaking; that he was a man “knowledgeable about art.” He is said to have been a former communist, a painter, then a Dadaist, and now he has a position in reactionary circles; but he was outraged that city building officer Hossfeld (our member) employed the mouth from Leipzig instead of him. The story also has a sequel in the newspaper. Two Erfurt newspapers spoke very highly of eurythmy, while the third, which had hired Pfeifer, railed against it. In Erfurt, a theater attendant refused to let me down to the car, saying that there were suspicious characters around and that you never knew what might happen these days; she knew us from Munich. Others were to leave first and pick me up later. That's what happened; the strange thing was that when I left, groups of policemen had gathered at three corners.

Since I had received several letters and telegrams from Görlitz and Breslau while on the road, I agreed to give the performance there; but I couldn't prepare an extra performance for Pentecost. That was decided before Erfurt. Now, of course, I don't think it's a good idea to extend the trip. The passes are valid until the 20th, and I could have added Stuttgart, Constance — or Heidelberg, Constance.

However, the theater director in Erfurt was very enthusiastic and told Schuurman that this could only be a personal matter (the opposition!).

Telegram from Marie Steiner to Rudolf Steiner, Hanover, June 2, 1924

Hildesheim quite good performance Breslau agreed [travel] all have accompaniment

From a letter from Marie Steiner to Rudolf Steiner, Hanover, June 2, 1924

I have just received a program from Koberwitz, from which I see that we will not be able to leave until the 17th. It is therefore clear that the tour is now over. [...]

Kisseleff has a beautiful Pentecost saying from you. Before you left, I gave you so much English that I didn't want to bother you with it. If you would now like to make a form for it, ask her for the saying; she will be delighted, and so will we.

Here tonight, a Mr. von der Decken, a priest, will say the introductory words; he has written some very clever articles on eurythmy and seems to be a very intelligent, energetic person.

Tomorrow we have a day off and want to go to the Brocken, possibly stay there overnight, and the day after tomorrow to Halle, Hotel Stadt Hamburg.

Warmest regards and best wishes, Marie