Solostück

Two ropes, an office chair and a white cloth, which is used as a sail and as a bandage or as the train for a wedding dress are the decor. Using amazingly simple media, Charlotte Engelkes successfully steps imaginatively into scenarios and triggers an avalanche of great action with cheerfulness.

In »Miss Very Wagner« Swedish actor, dancer and singer Charlotte Engelkes grapples with the four greatest female characters of Richard Wagner: Senta from »Der fliegende Holländer« (»The Flying Dutchman«), Elsa from »Lohengrin«, Isolde from »Tristan und Isolde« (»Tristan and Isolde«) and Brünnhilde from »Der Ring des Nibelungen« (»The Ring of the Nibelung«). She successfully depicts behaviour patterns of women from historical and current society in a humorous, respectful and affectionate manner.

The compositions by Richard Wagner (born in Leipzig in 1813) form the musical pillars of the piece. German musician Willy Bopp has created an artistic adaptation with jazz elements and Latin American rhythms, with Engelkes’ voice taking on a very individual charm, far removed from the emotiveness of the opera.

With her unique stage presence, Charlotte Engelkes is Sweden’s most celebrated performance artist – known throughout Europe. She began her career as a dancer, coming into the theatre in 1987 through her work with Michael Laub and his company, Remote Control. Later, she also worked with Raimund Hoghe, Heiner Goebbels, Ong Keng Sen and Sasha Waltz. Since 1994, Charlotte Engelkes has produced her own solo and ensemble pieces, such as »Sweet« (2000) and »Fräulein Julie – Das Musical« (»Miss Julie – The Musical«, 2002 at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg).

»Engelkes reflects on women’s experiences in the border area between adaptability and liberation, with a mix of poetic seriousness and refreshing inventiveness, which takes your breath away« (Bo Löfvendahl, Svenska Dagbladet, Stockholm, 09.02.2006).