“Schotty” comes to the stage in Düsseldorf

Tips and tricks from crime scene cleaner Marcell Engel for theater ensembles

Frankfurt/Düsseldorf, February 13, 2022. Who doesn't know him: Schotty, the crime scene cleaner from the NDR cult series? Someone who is always asked about this is Marcell Engel. With a big difference. Because the Frankfurt native has been a real crime scene cleaner for over 27 years. Many people already know him from newspapers, radio and television. Now Heiko “Schotty” Schotte (uniquely portrayed by Bjarne Mädel in the TV series) is coming to the stage in Düsseldorf. During the rehearsal research, theater and film director Michael Schäfer was looking for a real crime scene cleaner who would primarily provide him and the main actor with advice and support. Marcell Engel slipped into the role and says: “That was a completely different and very exciting experience.”

Director Schäfer and lead actor “Schotty” (played by Jan Schuba) know that it is the small touches and the right materials that make for a convincing and professional performance. Michael Schäfer explains: "We were very pleased that we were able to gain such an experienced professional in Marcell Engel for advice. We implemented the tips right away at the next rehearsal." The ensemble members followed Marcell Engel's stories at a meeting in the “Komödie Düsseldorf” theater. “We have immersed ourselves in a whole new world,” they sum up. For example, they learned that disposable gloves sometimes fly out of the window in the heat of the moment (and of course are collected again afterwards) and which type of sponge is best at absorbing all kinds of liquids.

The Frankfurt crime scene cleaner revealed some of the purely practical tricks from his wealth of experience from around 15,000 missions. “We got impressive insights that we could never have imagined,” say Michael Schäfer and Jan Schuba. They were surprised by the diversity of this profession and wondered how Marcell Engel and his team processed the sometimes gruesome sites and human fates. Engel says: "We've gotten used to some things, but not to many of the stories of the deceased and their surviving relatives, as well as the circumstances. They still get to us sometimes."

Schäfer had had “crime scene cleaner” as a keyword on his agenda for a play for a long time. "It's a serious topic that of course also has comedic touches thanks to 'Schotty'," says the director. He also thinks it's important to get a younger audience excited about such topics on the one hand and about theater on the other. He sees the theater adaptation of "The Crime Scene Cleaner" as a good link to reach visitors of different age groups. In the three episodes that Schäfer directed, you can of course laugh at “Schotty” and his bizarre experiences, for example in “Not over my sofa”. "By the way, humor is also very important in real work. Because it makes some things easier to endure - despite all the seriousness," agrees Marcell Engel. Of course, that always depends on the respective situation.

The premiere will take place on March 3rd at 7:30 p.m. in the Comedy Düsseldorf. “I’m really looking forward to “Schotty’s” stage appearance,” smiles crime scene cleaner Marcell Engel in conclusion.