The We Could be Heroes tour kicked off at De Kleine Komedie in Amsterdam at October 18th 2024 and can now be enjoyed in a selective number of theaters.
With the final part of this trilogy as an honour to David Bowie, Sven Ratzke concludes his homage to David Bowie. In this dynamic show, Ratzke performs his favorite songs with unique arrangements and takes the audience on a journey through his memories of David Bowie: sometimes hilarious, sometimes intimate and emotional.
The songs selected and arranged by Ratzke are each like small portraits that offer insight into the musical mindset of this superstar. In 2013, David Bowie personally gave Ratzke permission to create a series of shows based on his music. Bowie didn’t want it to be a tribute, but rather for Ratzke to offer his own interpretation of the music.
On tour with an international rock band
Sven Ratzke is accompanied in this show by an international rock band. Ratzke guides the audience through Bowie’s body of work. The chosen songs are reworked, offering Ratzke’s unique perspective on this icon’s music. With songs like Sweet Thing and Hallo Spaceboy, and featuring groundbreaking hits like Heroes and Space Oddity. The show rocks with bombastic moments but also has small, intimate, quiet interludes. Woven throughout, Sven Ratzke theatrically shares his stories, anecdotes, and memories. Each song offers a glimpse into the world of the global superstar Bowie.
The stunning costumes by Ian Griffiths, chief designer of the Italian fashion house Max Mara, play a key role in this performance. The shoes are specially designed for the show by Jan Janssen, with whom Ratzke has had a long-standing relationship.
Review after the premiere in Amsterdam by Het Parool ★★★★★
“Ratzke komt akelig dicht in de buurt van Bowie, maar blijft in alles zichzelf”
“..het slotakkoord knalt er uit. Wauw!”
“..een zanger en band om door een ringetje te halen”
“..een glorierijk slot van Bowie drieluik!”
Ratzke toured internationally with the earlier shows Starman and Where Are We Now, both of which received glowing reviews.
“Ratzke is een onweerstaanbaar podiumbeest” – NRC ★★★★★
“The most exciting star of his generation” – Time Out New York ★★★★★
“Sven Ratzke zingt Bowie met intens en beheerst pathos” – NRC ★★★★★
“Dichter dan dit kun je niet meer bij Bowie komen” – Trouw – ★★★★
“Ratzkes Bowie interpretaties zijn uniek, en doen het origineel haast vergeten” – Der Tagesspiegel Berlin ★★★★★
“Ratzke is a must see“ – New York Press ★★★★★
Cast: Sven Ratzke & Band
Band: Jan ter Stege (guitar), Haye Jellema (drums), Florian Friedrich (bass), and Damian Omansen (piano)
Text: Sven Ratzke and Philippe Claudel
Costumes: Ian Griffiths (chief designer Max Mara), shoes by Jan Janssen.
Photography: Alek Bruessing (campaign image), Ann-Marie Schwanke (scene pictures)