Marlene - Spijkenisse - Theater de Stoep

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Venue: Theater de Stoep

The international theatre hit Marlene is coming to the Netherlands. A dazzling musical theatre piece with international star Sven Ratzke in the role of legend Marlene Dietrich: film goddess full of mystery and glamour, who experienced a second world career as a chansonnière and preferred the last years of her life completely withdrawn in her Parisian apartment the isolation.

It is November 3, 1960. Marlene is back in Berlin. She’s in the locker room. Outside, the crowd chants “Go home Marlene!” and “Traitor!” Inside, the diva is preparing for her first show since the war. What follows is a journey through the life of one of the greatest icons of the 20th century. A glimpse into the madness, the showbiz, her memories full of nostalgia and longing. The highlight was the concert as she gave it then, in 1960 in Berlin.

After his leading roles in musical classics and the acclaimed one-man shows, including international hit show Where are we now about the life and work of David Bowie, with which he toured the world, Sven Ratzke is the dream interpreter of this character. Like no other, Ratzke knows how to switch between genders and bend the work of icons to his will.

Marlene is a performance about fame and mystification and gives an insight into the soul of a world-famous legend. Infused with beautiful music and framed texts by top author Connie Palmen and costumes by Ian Griffiths (art director Max Mara), Marlene balances between grand theatre and intimate one-woman show, full of villainous humour and big emotions. Marlene leaves no one untouched.

Marlene is a co-production of the renowned Renaissance Theater (including Hedwig and the Angry Inch) in Berlin. With texts by top author Connie Palmen and costumes by Ian Griffiths, creative director of the world-famous fashion brand Max Mara.

Cast: Sven Ratzke, Julia Herfst, Jetse de Jong and others

“Ratzke is from ‘Kopf bis Fuss auf Liebe eingestellt’ and creates something completely unique with this evening. Go see this! This will be Berlin’s theatrical hit.” – Berliner Morgenpost*****

“.. the songs sound surprisingly new to Ratzke and are stripped of any false pathos: he is pure, honest, touches you and creates something completely authentic. The audience showered him with standing ovations. A new ‘Marlene’ has risen in Berlin.” – Der Tagesspiegel*****

“Ratzke is the worthy successor to the legend Marlene. He shows in all her glamour and fragility. Ratzke does a great job. The Berlin audience embraces this show with enormous enthusiasm and undivided ovations.” – Die Welt*****

“Marlene would have loved this night.” – Kulturblog****

“If you want to see a great actor and singer in his element, you have to see this! It is also unique musically. Ovations for a Marlene like we haven’t seen her before.” – Bildzeitung*****

“Ratzke is perfect as Marlene. The costumes are pure art.” – Berliner Zeitung****

“Ratzke breathes a new soul into Marlene’s songs.” – ARD / Kulturradio****