Firstly, could you introduce yourself, and give a quick summary of your show?
I'm sven Ratzke, half German half Dutch singer and entertainer touring around the world. I'm bringing the show Starman to Edinburgh. It's a wild, bizzare, touching and funny rock n roll ride with the music of genius David Bowie. It's not a tribute show. We've almost recreated his Brilliant repertoire and take the audience on a journey where the Univers of Bowie collide with the Ratzke Univers
What is your earliest arts memory?
I must been 5 and got on a table at a wedding and started to sing. Later on I lived in a old convent squat where I lived with my mom
There where a lot of artist and musicians living there and parties held
They loved that crazy kid with an invented wig made of a mop singing with the accordion player in the halls of the old convent.
What first encouraged you to become a performer?
I always knew that this was what I was supposed to do. And my early success with grownups encouraged me.
Do you remember your first professional performance, and how did it go?
Yes. I started to write my own plays when I was 15-16. But my first payed gig was as my first solo show. I was 19. In an old theatre. 15 people in the audience. They loved it.
I stood there, long, skinny, wild blonde hair and naked feet - I looked like an Egon Schiele drawing. Good start but I wasn't aware of so much things. I'm so happy of getting older and smarter
What do you feel is the best thing about your job?
Connecting with people
Audience and colleagues
And creating worlds
Everything is possible
There are no limits
Isn't that great!
Conversely, what is the worst?
The works never stops. And fame is a bitch. Cause if u once had it u don't wanna lose it.
How do you decide whether or not a show has gone well?
Uff...that's a feeling
But sometimes your totally wrong: you think it was not good but people just loved it. But I can feel when it was a really great show because there's a really close connection then with the audience. It's a lot like lovemaking; you can have good sex but real lovemaking is the best.
If you could work with anybody, dead or alive, who would you choose to collaborate with?
I would leave everything behind to work with a couple of filmmakers, like Polanski or terry Gilliam. And I have to say: I'm working already with a lot of my dream people like Nina Hagen, the tiger lillies, fassbinder muse Hanna Schugulla, Joey arias, John Cameron Mitchell. I'm getting richer and richer in memories
What made you want to come to Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I decided this almost two years ago. This show fits with the festival.
I think people gonna love it. I'm; so excited to stay in Edinburgh for a whole month. I'm becoming a Scottish man for a while.
Is performing at EdFringe different from 'traditional' shows?
Yes very much! You have to adapt. The circumstances are totally different; Quick Change overs and limited technical stuff. And bring sunglasses and a big coat because you get it all - Rain on your head when you leave the venue and hot sun
If you could travel back in time and give 16 year-old you one piece of advice, what would it be?
A 16 year old? Omg. I think Find yourself. Don't be afraid of trying.
Improvise and be wild and be kind.
What advice would you give to young people who want to enter the industry?
Good luck!
Haha, no push through 'cause it's a rough ride
Do you have social media that our readers can follow you on?
Yes
I love Facebook
Find me!
Also on Instagram
And Twitter, but that I've never got really
Where can people catch your show during EdFringe?
At the beautiful Palais Du Variete spiegeltent at assembly George Square Gardens
Prime time every day at 8:45
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