Marlene

The international Broadway hit musical Marlene is coming to Leuven with a dazzling show in which top performer Sven Ratzke stars in the role of legend Marlene Dietrich. She was world-famous as a film goddess shrouded in mystery and glamour, and experienced a second world career as a chansonnière. In the last years of her life, she preferred total isolation, withdrawn in her Parisian flat.

It is November 3rd, 1960. Marlene has returned to Berlin. She is in her dressing room. The crowd outside 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. An insight into the madness, showbiz, her memories full of nostalgia and longing. With the concert the way she performed it in 1960 in Berlin as the highlight.

None other than international star Sven Ratzke plays the role of Marlene. After his leading roles in musical classics (Rocky Horror Show) and the acclaimed one-man shows (David Bowie), with which he toured the world, he is the perfect interpreter for this character. Like no other, Ratzke knows how to switch between genders and bend works by icons to his will.

Marlene is a performance about fame and mystification and gives insight into the soul of a world-famous legend. Infused with stunning music and dressed by Ian Griffiths (creative director at Max Mara), Marlene balances between grand theatre and an intimate one-woman show, full of vile humour and big emotions. 

Marlene leaves no one untouched.

Press

“A moving celebration of the woman behind the myth, Marlene was an immediate success when it first opened.” (New York Times)

“One of the best cabaret performers of his generation.” – Time Out, NYC ☆☆☆☆☆

More info

www.sven-ratzke.com

with Sven Ratzke, Julia Herfst, Jetse de Jong … and live band texts Pam Gems and Connie Palmen director Guntbert Warns costumes Ian Griffiths

Marlene is a co-production with the Renaissance Theater in Berlin.