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03/24/09
Volker Spengler: The Theater Veteran Turns 70
Starting in April, he will perform in “Amanullah Amanullah” at Berlin’s Volksbühne
Between 1975 and 1982, Volker Spengler starred in eleven of R. W. Fassbinder’s movies. His role in IN A YEAR WITH 13 MOONS (1978) made him synonymous with the metamorphosis of the transsexual “erwin-esk Elvira.” In addition to his activities on stage, in the last two decades Spengler also appeared in films by Christoph Schlingensief and Volker Schlöndorff. He recently celebrated a jubilee anniversary; on this occasion, numerous companions and critics congratulated him and attempted to capture what is so unique about him:
Irm Hermann: The Honorable Strangler
“I would like to point out that he is a fabulous actor who uses language brilliantly and in a fascinating way; I truly admire him, especially as Elvira in Fassbinder’s “In a Year with 13 Moons.” (Theater der Zeit, No. 2/2009)
Matthias Heine: Congratulations: Volker Spengler, the Holy Monster, Turns 70
[...] “All the important West German actors of the 1970s did not simply go through schools; they were all influenced by the work of the three epoch-making directors Peter Stein, Peter Zadek or Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Volker Spengler belongs to the entourage of the latter [...]“ (DIE WELT, 02.16, 2009)
Frank Castorf: The Lyric Rascal
[...] “What is so striking is to see the modification, the change his body underwent. In the Fassbinder films, he is a radiant young man. Then he literally moved into his body. This is why he does not appear to be old to me. His face itself is a landscape.” [...] (Theater der Zeit, No. 2/2009)
Rüdiger Schaper: Anarchist and Angel
[...] “Spengler is an adventurer and it is an adventure to see him onstage – in recent years in plays directed by Frank Castorf (as H. C. Andersen’s fairy!) and especially in René Pollesch’s snuggly discourses at the Volksbühne. One must say that he always worked with the best.“ [...] (Der Tagesspiegel, 02.16, 2009)
Ulrich Seidler: Like Ironing with Steam – For Volker Spengler on his 70th Birthday
[...] “Spengler is the litmus test for any theatrical convention because he fills the stage with reality. His immense body, his depraved voice, his fight to memorize the text (the latter not free of chutzpa), this all makes up the event.“ [...] (Berliner Zeitung, 02.16, 2009)
Volker Schlöndorff: The True Nemesis (about DER UNHOLD / THE OGRE, 1996)
[...] “Volker Spengler came to Babelsberg for test shots; his partner Malkovich was instantly thrilled, and they became friends then and there. You know, Göring is indeed a dream role for any actor who hates political correctness. And this is exactly what Volker Spengler does.” [...] (Theater der Zeit, No. 2/2009)
Starting in April 2009, you may see Volker Spengler again live in the piece “Amanullah Amanullah” at Berlin’s Volksbühne (Prater). For information and dates:
http://www.volksbuehne-berlin.de/praxis/amanullah_amanullah_/?id_datum=1601
Photo on left: Volker Spengler as Ernst in SATAN’S BREW, 1976 © RWFF
Photo on right: Volker Spengler as Erwin Weishaupt beside Eva Mattes as Marie-Ann in IN A YEAR WITH 13 MOONS, 1978 © RWFF
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