One of Germany's most celebrated performers is honoured, and her story captured and told, at Adelaide Fringe by Adelaide singer and cabaret performer Shelley Dunstone.
Shelley herself is no stranger to exploring German music and culture – just last year she presented 'Wanderlust' at the Fringe, inspired by the discovery of her German ancestry. Now, she brings 'Raining Red Roses', telling the story of Hildegard Knef: a German actress, voice actress, singer, and writer.
We learn more from Shelley about the performance, her history at Fringe, and why she decided to focus on Hildegard, ahead of the Adelaide Fringe performance.
First of all, give us a brief introduction to you and your performance style.
I'm a cabaret performer – I combine stories, songs and humour to create a piece of entertainment. I'll be accompanied by the wonderful jazz pianist, Ed Heddle.
You’ve played Adelaide Fringe a number of times. What is it you love most about this festival?
I love that it's in the summer, so we can all feel relaxed. Everyone is out and about on the streets, going to shows and dining outdoors. All three of my shows are at 6pm for one hour, so there's plenty of time afterwards for audience members to eat and socialise.
And what will you be bringing to the event?
A head crammed with song lyrics! I'm pretty sure that mine is the only German-themed show in this festival. It's a musical bio-pic that I have created based on my own research, celebrating the life and songs of Hildegard Knef.
Why did you choose Hildegard Knef as your muse for your offering this year?
A friend sent me a recording of one of her songs, suggesting that it would suit my voice. Hildegard had a very deep voice (helped by a lifetime of smoking) – she was really a female tenor. I have a low alto voice, so it made sense for me to give her songs a try, and I discovered how wonderful they are. Her life was very tumultuous and full of drama – her story is really a gift to cabaret. She reached the peak of popularity during the 1960s, which is my favourite musical era.
What’s the best song by Hildegard to perform? Why?
They are all great, but if I have to choose one it would be 'Ich bin zu müde, um schlafen zu gehen' (I'm too tired to go to sleep). Having read her autobiography, I think she wrote this song for Marlene Dietrich, who befriended her in Hollywood. Marlene was famously an insomniac and never seemed to need any sleep at all. She would keep Hilde out late at night, partying and chatting. At four o'clock in the morning, Hilde stifled a yawn, and Marlene exclaimed, 'One cannot be tired, when still so young!' That story made it into the song, in the line (in translation), 'I know it's four, and you want to leave, and you've been yawning furtively for ages'. The song is very atmospheric and has a 'noir' feel, with lyrics like, 'We have become shadows of the shadows'.
Why do you think Adelaide Fringe is the perfect place for a show like ‘Raining Red Roses’?
There is so much variety in Fringe, and the shows are generally inexpensive, so you can go out and see something you might not normally choose.
How do you want audiences to respond to this show?
I'd like them to feel inspired by her courage, resilience, optimism and relentless ambition. Throughout her life she maintained the unwavering belief that she should be showered with red roses. Whatever she did, she did wholeheartedly and with confidence. Whenever things went wrong for her, she picked herself up and started again. You can enjoy the story and the music even if you don't know any German.
What’s your favourite kind of performance to check out at Adelaide Fringe, and why?
I would recommend choosing something from the cabaret section, particularly if the artist is from South Australia. We have a thriving community of cabaret artists here, who create wonderful pieces combining stories and songs.
'Raining Red Roses: The Hildegard Knef Story' plays The Ballroom at Ayers House Events (Adelaide Fringe) 17,24,25 February.
