Sparrow and angel: Touching friendship discovered on Memmingen stage!

Sparrow and angel: Touching friendship discovered on Memmingen stage!

On September 28, 2024, the Landestheater Schwaben in Memmingen experienced the highly expected premiere of the play "Spatz und Engel". This gripping piece brings the moving friendship between the two legendary singers Édith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich onto the stage and enchants the audience with a mixture of lightness and depth.

"Spatz und Angel", written by Daniel Große Boymann and Thomas Kahry, tells the story of this extraordinary relationship over 15 years and addresses the ups and downs of their friendship. The success of the current performance in Memmingen is also thanks to the excellent line -up. Gabriele Fischer shines as Marlene Dietrich, while Cindy Walther takes on the role of the Édith Piaf. Their representations make the core of the protagonists perfectly and ensure an unforgettable experience.

The history of origin

The two women who were icons in their respective time came together in New York in 1948. Piaf, the "Sparrow of Paris", as well as the glamorous Marlene Dietrich, known as "Blue Angel", will find each other in their home connection and their longings. Piaf, who grew up in difficult conditions, and Dietrich, who comes from an officer family, form an exciting duo that enriches the stage over the years with its talented voices and its dazzling personality. The conveyed chansons are an essential part of the piece and underline the emotions and topics that are treated in them.

But the piece goes beyond the mere representation of their careers. A look at their tragic and ecstatic moments is taken. Edith Piaf, known for her impulsive decisions and her passionate search for love, and Marlene Dietrich, the strict and disciplined girlfriend, who is often represented as the stabilizing force in Piaf's chaotic life. The piece thus asks questions about the nature of friendship and the relationship between passion and responsibility.

The complex characters are divided. Piaf, who was considered excessive during his lifetime, keeps fighting with inner demons, while Dietrich often acts as the constant and caring girlfriend who takes care of Piafs. This dynamic relationship comes to life on stage, and the acting achievements of the two main actresses are overwhelming.

essential topics and questions

A central theme of the piece is the debate about whether it is the differences or the similarities that make friendship strong. The arguments between the two characters regarding their lifestyles and choices raise profound questions. Is a life in the "turbo mode", shaped by intensive experiences and emotional roller coaster, more fulfilling than a long, safe life with its own challenges? These questions remain with the viewer and rain for reflection.

Another moving element is the final message that is obvious to both the characters and the audience: "True friendship holds more firmly than any marriage contract." These words that were noted on a piece of paper and stayed with her up to Dietrich's end, summarize the deep connection and the inseparable band of the two women. Despite all the challenges and the decay that both suffered in their later years, this friendship remains of central importance in their lives.

With twelve other planned performances in Memmingen and a guest performance in Dillingen on October 23, 2024, this production promises to continue to inspire spectators. Last but not least, over 70 performances were recorded in the Vienna Burgtheater, which underlines the quality and popularity of this piece.

For more information about the ongoing ideas and the background to "Spatz und Angel" you can also use the current reporting read at www.merkur.de