In her younger years, the stage director, dramaturge and performer Marion Rothhaar had been a successful gymnast – the German women’s champion in rhythmic gymnastics and a member of the 1988 West German Olympic team. «The Other: Me» is an autobiographical performance which addresses the female body, its function and its depiction in our performance-driven society from the perspectives of her earlier self as a professional athlete, and herself today as an artist. The experiences and anecdotes from her East-West German athletic past are interwoven with text about the Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci, who not only became a sports legend, but was also used as a political pawn in the Cold War. Comăneci’s famous quote,
«At 45 kilos, I can think better, I’m stronger and more beautiful»
perfectly sums up the absurdity of athletic self-castigation.
2018/9
Concept: Marion Rothhaar in collaboration with Marc Planceon
with: Marion Rothhaar, Marc Planceon, a ryhtmic gymnast
sound design: Christina Clar
Production Nest Théâtre de Thionville / TNL Théâtre National de Luxembourgh / Paradise is here ASBL Ticino / Danzschoul Wellenstein
supported by the Embassy of Luxembourg
