The infamous, international shape-shifter Frau Welt tells her story for the first and last time in a brand new play created in anticipation of her retirement. Audiences are invited to get acquainted with this inimitable ‘cult’ figure and experience the egomaniacal Midas touch of this grande dame of the theatre. From Weimar Berlin to Broadway stardom, her secret is finally exposed.
This one (wo)man performance is a full-length drama written by Peter Clements and Oliver Dawe – both Associate Artists at Hackney Showroom – East London’s flexible and inclusive performance space which has just celebrated its second birthday. Dramaturg honours come courtesy of Tim Crouch and design is by Joanna Scotcher, whose extensive credits include work with the Young Vic and Royal Court.
Frau Welt is brought to life on stage by Peter Clements, who along with co-writer Oliver Dawe created the eponymous anti-heroine in 2015. An initial scratch performance sold out 3 nights as part of Hackney Showroom’s Queer Show & Tell festival. Since then, Frau Welt has returned to Hackney Showroom to host 3 of her signature ‘masterclasses’ in performance – a concept-cabaret which also proved popular.
Frau Welt’s story charts her struggle to the top, from the discovery of her love for the theatre and humble beginnings in Weimar Berlin to her eventual win of a Tony Award on Broadway, cementing her rightful place as a ‘true icon’ and ‘national treasure’.
But all is not what it seems. Repressed memories rise to the surface and a far darker version of events begins to appear… A horrifying revelation about her duplicitous past turns her world, and ours, upside down. Frau Welt is a play about the outsider and the consequences of a life excluded. It examines the masks we wear in our search for acceptance and belonging.
Frau Welt is at Hackney Showroom 4th – 21st October 2017.
