The Bitter Tears Of Petra Von Kant (Press, 18 May 1988)
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Summary: The Bitter Tears Of Petra Von Kant (Press, 18 May 1988)
Free Theatre is showcasing the German play "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant" by Rainer Werner Fassbinder at the Rolleston Avenue theatre in the Arts Centre, with performances running until 28 May 1988. Fassbinder, known for his work as a filmmaker, theatre director, and playwright, originally created "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant" as a stage play, which he later adapted into a film. The narrative centres on Petra, a fashion designer who aims to reshape her life based on her aesthetic ideals. Disillusioned by her experiences with marriage and the male-dominated world, she seeks solace in lesbian love. However, she soon discovers that beauty and love come at a price, akin to the costs of achieving success and financial autonomy. Director Peter Falkenberg describes the play as evolving from soap opera and melodrama into a sharp critique of patriarchal society and the male principle. The production oscillates between kitsch and art, illustrating Petra's conflict between her longing for love and beauty and her exploitation of those around her. Falkenberg has opted to set the play in a New Zealand context, portraying it as a "tatty capitalist dream" rather than a mirror of reality. In a unique twist, Petra von Kant’s dresses will be featured in a fashion show, with items available for sale during intermissions and at the conclusion of the performance. This production marks a collaboration between Free Theatre and the newly established University Drama Programme.
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