Wien – Paulus Manker, the controversial theater maker, faced serious legal repercussions as he was convicted of defamation and insult against Christian Zeller, the owner of the Südbahnhotel am Semmering. The Wiener Landesgericht für Strafsachen ruled against Manker on Thursday, marking the conclusion of a heated trial stemming from bitter disputes related to theatrical performances and personal conflicts. Despite Manker's self-representation, the court found him guilty of using derogatory terms, such as "geldgierige Kanaille" (greedy scoundrel) and "Psychopath" (psychopath), directing them toward Zeller, leading to his substantial fine of €560, equivalent to 140 day-fines of €4 each.
The backdrop of this contentious drama began when Manker staged his productions, including the play “Alma” and “Die letzten Tage der Menschheit” (The Last Days of Mankind), at the hotel. Tensions arose as Manker accused Zeller of breaching contractual agreements and deliberately punishing him by turning off the heating during performances. Conversely, Zeller maintained Manker failed to vacate the hotel premises as agreed upon after his final show, prompting legal action against him.
Things escalated dramatically by the end of January 2024, culminating in Zeller filing for eviction. It was during this turmoil, as reported by the ORF, when Manker's rhetoric intensified, not just publicly but within the court. His courtroom antics included labeling Zeller various unsavory epithets, inciting the trial against him. While he argued these terms were justified critiques, the court ruled otherwise, stating most of his offensive remarks constituted defamation.
Manker, defending himself throughout the trial, persistently claimed financial exploitation by Zeller, asserting the owner had lured him to the hotel to profit from Manker's productions. During his final statement, he did not hold back, characterizing Zeller as "rücksichts- und schamlos" (thoughtless and shameless), but this appeal to the court did not sway Judge Hartwig Handsur, who indicated the comments only exacerbated Manker's situation.
Notably, the verdict handed down to Manker is not yet final. He has until Monday to decide whether he will pay the fine or contest the ruling, drawing the possibility of facing 70 days of imprisonment if he chooses to forgo payment. This outcome could also tarnish Manker's reputation, as being found guilty would mark him as not having maintained public decorum, potentially affecting other legal matters he is currently facing.
Next week, the conflict intensifies with another hearing. Manker plans to contest the legality of the auction of his stage props, which Zeller claims were seized through the courts after Manker’s stints at the hotel came to an end. This auction process, as Zeller insists, was conducted lawfully following their back-and-forth disputes over the theater's operations, adding another layer of complexity to the existing animosity between the two.
While the trial concluded with Manker's conviction for defamation, the underlying issues—the unauthorized financial splitting of ticket sales and claims of even graver misconduct—remain prominently unresolved. Legal experts view this series of conflicts as emblematic of the theatrical world's draw and the pitfalls of managing artistic productions within commercial settings.
Anticipation builds as the public awaits the outcome of Manker's impending decisions and the subsequent courtroom battles. Will Manker accept his penalty or fight back against the ruling? The saga of Paulus Manker and Christian Zeller is far from over, and each chapter seems to escalate the drama surrounding the beleaguered theater genre operating amid the pressures of modern business practices.