The top hat should not be missing in the new “Marlene” with Sven Ratzke Photo: dpa
By Claudia von Duehren
Sven Ratzke takes on the role of the legendary actress Marlene Dietrich in the new edition of the stage play “Marlene”. We saw the play.
Anyone expecting a big diva in the new edition of Pam Gems’ play “Marlene” at the Renaissance Theater will be disappointed. Anyone who wants to experience a great actor and singer will leave the theater highly satisfied.
Lead actor Sven Ratzke (46) and director Guntbert Warns (64) have carefully but significantly modernized the legend. Despite there being a male Marlene actor, the evening is by no means a drag show. He succeeds brilliantly in the fragile movements and the change from diva bent by life to glamorous show star. In the first part of the evening, Ratzke presents the bitter, narrow-minded, but also vulnerable personality of the global star.
Where are the songs, some in the premiere audience may have asked themselves during the break. There was plenty of that in the second part. In addition to hits like “Lili Marleen” or “I’m prepared for love from head to toe,” Ratzke also interpreted lesser-known songs in a very individual way.
He also succeeded in finding a new musical approach to telling the story of Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992). Standing ovation, rightly so!