I Am My Own Wife is a one-man play by playwright Doug Wright, based on his conversations with Charlotte von Mahlsdorf. Charlotte, born Lothar Berfelde, was an openly homosexual German transvestite who lived through the Nazi Regime, the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, and the oppression of the Communists.
I first become aware of this play through Robert Jarman’s performance of it with the Tasmanian Theatre Company, which undertook a limited tour in 2011; a memorable production, featuring a powerful actor and an exquisitely detailed set.
This Adelaide Fringe production, in the intimate surrounds of The Studio Theatre at The Bakehouse, lacks the exquisite set – and it isn’t missed at all. Charlotte lived her life for antiques – records, gramophones and furnishings. This passion is beautifully realized in miniatures – delicately plucked from within a simple wooden box – and described in exact detail, as each piece is placed with reverence on the table beside her. Two chairs, a side table, a full length mirror and a gramophone on a pedestal are all that are needed.
As for the portrayal of Charlotte, actor Charles Mayer, from the moment he steps onto the compact stage, is captivating, charming, flirtatious and genuine.
This man, in this play, knows he doesn’t need excessive gestures or overt declamations – he reaches out to the audience with his eyes and simple movements. Subtle nuances of change in body line, facial expression and vocals show us the differences between almost 40 characters – some for mere seconds – and we are left in no doubt of who they are – and, in some cases, when and where they are speaking from.
The lighting design, by Stephen Dean – resident technician at The Bakehouse – is as subdued and subtle as Mayer’s performance. There is just the right amount of light and shadow to shift the mood – and indeed the locations. There were times, though, that the shadows on Mayer’s face were deeper than others, and darker moods were created than may have been required.
Underscoring this performance is a soundtrack of vintage music which, at times, distracted from the performance with its volume – but, again, Mayer never let this force his vocal register to lift or disrupt his performance.
I Am My Own Wife is a beautiful piece of narrative theatre and, under the direction of Craig Behenna, showcases the versatility of Charles Mayer as he guides us through the life of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf – and the subsequent revelations of Doug Wright’s research.
Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5
I Am My Own Wife
Written by Doug Wright
Director: Craig Behenna
Producer: Cate Fittock – Blue Lane Productions
Lighting Design: Stephen Dead
Cast: Charles Mayer
Bakehouse Theatre, Adelaide
19 February – 2 March
Adelaide Fringe Festival
www.adelaidefringe.com.au
15 February – 17 March
