I AM MY OWN WIFE by Doug Wright directed by Sarah Lorenz Knutsford Little Theatre This play is a dramatization of the life of Charlotte van Mahlsdorf (born Lother Berfelde ) who openly lived as a trans woman in Berlin during the terrifying oppression of Nazi rule and the ensuing communist occupation of East Berlin. It takes the form of a series of interviews between Charlotte and the American playwright, Doug Wright, embellished throughout by further interactions with a number of different people as her story unfolded. It appears that Charlotte was quite well known in her era, but I must admit that I knew nothing about her, nor this play. I was intrigued when I read the programme and discerned that there was one cast member – Sean Duvall - portraying Charlotte … as well as a list of other characters. One man? Would he change clothes on stage, use a plethora of props? I was baffled. The stage was set as a main room in Charlotte’s home, the Grunderzeit Museum in Berlin. Tastefully dressed with period furniture, there was space on the back wall either side of the splendid doors, where various images were projected throughout the play, such as photographs of the museum interior as it exists today and footage of decadent life in West Berlin. Sean took on the role of Charlotte with the dedication required to bring this complex biography to life on stage. The wardrobe was simple – a plain black dress, solid orthopaedic shoes, and a string of pearls. As Charlotte, I was immediately charmed by Sean’s winsome portrayal with the delicate smile, tilt of the head and use of hand gestures. I became enthralled as, still dressed as Charlotte, he weaved his way through a portrayal of an extensive range of over thirty characters.
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