By Claudia von Duehren
As a young woman she was in love with Mr. Darcy, now Nadine Schori (47) plays the hero from Jane Austen’s famous novel “Pride and Prejudice” in the comedy on Potsdamer Platz. But that’s not all.
The Berlin actress also slips into the role of Mrs. Bennet and the housemaid Flo – she doesn’t even appear in the original of the famous love story. But in the play by Isobel McArthur. Her adaptation, Pride and Prejudice *Or Something, brings the trials and tribulations of love in 1813 England to the present day.
The mutability of Nadine Schori Photo: BZ Montage
The story is told from the point of view of five housemaids. Before the eyes of the audience, the five actresses Anna-Maria Mühe, Johanna Asch, Birthe Wolter, Mackie Heilmann and Nadine Schori transform themselves into almost all of the characters in the novel.
BZ met Nadine Schori alias Mr. Darcy:
BZ: How does it feel to play Mr. Darcy?
Nadine Schori: I saw the film adaptation with Colin Firth and was a little bit in love with him. I play him from the maid’s point of view though. So it’s also a pastiche of the role.
Who else are you playing: Mrs. Bennet, of all people, the somewhat annoying mother who wants her five daughters to marry off. What helps you the most with the constant role changes?
The costumes. As soon as I put on the top hat, I’m Darcy. When I wear the hood, I feel the mother, in the basic costume I am completely the maid Flo. We were allowed to rehearse with costumes quite early on, which made it a lot easier.
As soon as she puts on the hood, the actress feels like hysterical mother Mrs. Bennet Photo: Franziska Strauss
Anna-Maria Mühe plays Elizabeth. Were you intimidated by her fame?
Not at all. I was looking forward to playing with her. Of course I admire her, after all I fall in love with her every night. But it’s also very easy for me when I look into her beautiful blue eyes.
How are things going with the other colleagues?
We’re incredibly lucky with our cast. There is a great love between all five actresses. We don’t gossip, we support each other and we can laugh a lot together. That is also a bit of the secret of our success. Yesterday we played in front of 900 spectators.
With a top hat and a double-breasted velvet tailcoat, Nadine Schori becomes the bulky lover Mr. Darcy Photo: Franziska Strauss
How does the Theater am Potsdamer Platz feel?
Much better than expected. I was also a little apprehensive about the size at first, but it has a very warm vibe. However, the Potsdamer Platz is really a disaster. When the performance is over, all restaurants are closed. That’s a shame for us actors, who would like to have a drink together, but also for the audience. I haven’t experienced that even in the smallest dump on tour.
Maybe the viewers expect the original?
That may be the case for some. But apparently we also inspire the audience with this modern, somewhat trashy version. There is a standing ovation every night.
As the cheeky housemaid Flo, Nadine Schori takes a close look at the love tangles of the five Bennet girls Photo: Inga Grömminger
Is Martin Woelffer reinventing the boulevard theater?
I think so. He’s doing a great job, dares to do something. The comedy hardly plays the expected, but surprises.
The pressure to fill the theater or deliver a hit in the cinema often results in great pressure on the actors. How have you experienced this so far?
You’re always dependent, you have to constantly prove yourself as an actor. I’ve seen directors yelling. There are people who find no other outlet for the pressure than screaming.
Yelling is always a form of violence. And quite honestly: I have never seen a colleague’s performance ever improve afterwards. On the contrary. I think it’s terrible.