"I think I got the best out of myself": Georg Preuße delighted the audience for over four decades as the fictional character Mary.
Georg Preuße was on stage as the travesty star Mary for over four decades. He is still considered a pioneer of the German travesty scene and attracted millions of viewers to the screens with his TV shows. "I am proud that I was able to bring the art of travesty out of its shadowy existence", he explains on the occasion of his 70th birthday on August 24th in an interview with the news agency spot on news. "I think I got the best out of myself." Today Preuss lives in seclusion with his long-term partner in Switzerland. There will be no comeback of his legendary fictional character. "I am very satisfied with the current state of life", clarifies the native of Lower Saxony.
You're celebrating your 70th birthday. How does that feel?
Georg Preuße: Actually no different than the day before. Getting older is a creeping process that drags on over the years and goes almost unnoticed.
Are you bothered by the number?
Prussia: Not at all! I don't feel it. I also planned to be at least 93. So there is still a lot of water going down the drain.
How will you spend your special day?
Prussia: at home. Without much fanfare and adjusted to the Corona time only with my life partner. Since I always worked on my birthdays before, I don't miss this festival either.
A big birthday is often an occasion to take stock. What would you have liked to have done differently?
Prussia: Actually, nothing. I think I got the best out of myself. But maybe something is still possible. Well, maybe in the early days as Mary in the swamp of injury and hostility in business I should have put on rubber boots instead of high heels. However, it is something very special to be able to read in many letters what the fictional character Mary meant for these people and what changed their lives for the better.
What are you particularly proud of?
Prussia: pride is a big word. I am glad that I was allowed to participate and that I had the strength – especially in the 80s – to be able to contribute to social change. That I was always able to address unpleasant social, political issues and grievances in my shows without the audience closing their ears. The position of women, violence in marriage and against the elderly and children, right-wing radicalism, war, etc. Of course also that I was able to get the art of travesty out of its shadowy existence.
You last appeared on the theater stage as Pope Pius XII in "Der Stellvertreter" in 2018. Would you like to play the theater again?
Preuße: Whenever the role appeals to me and I can give it something special.
You were on stage as Mary for over four decades. Do you miss your fictional character sometimes?
Prussia: Not really. After all, it was hard and exhausting work for me.
Have you ever considered making a comeback?
Prussia: I never left the stage. I never said NEVER either. I just took the time to find myself and catch up on things that I missed. At times when I made up to 400 gigs a year, a lot fell by the wayside. I call it healthy selfishness.
What would you have to be offered to go on stage again as Mary?
Prussia: persuasiveness. Because I am very satisfied with the current state of life.
Over 800 outfits have accumulated in your career. Do you still have them all, where do you keep the costumes?
Prussia: Most and the most beautiful YES and we store them carefully, vacuum-packed in our warehouse. Some are also on display, such as in Berlin in the lipstick museum or in the winter garden.
What do you think of your "successors" like Olivia Jones or Conchita Wurst?
Prussia: It's nice that they exist. However, I do not know whether we can be compared. Everyone does something in their own special way for the joy of the audience.
Heidi Klum's "Drag Queen" show caused a lot of buzz, how do you rate the show?
Preuße: Unfortunately I never saw them.
You have been with your husband Jack Amsler for over 40 years, how do you spend your old age together?
Prussia: Very intense. We're together for almost 24 hours without getting on our nerves. In times of the stage, this time to be there for each other is inevitably too short.
What's the secret of your relationship?
Prussia: respect and honesty. We also complement each other perfectly.
Can you live on your pension and your savings?
Prussia: Yes! We're very satisfied, we can't make big jumps, but we've always been undemanding.
How has the corona crisis changed your everyday life?
Prussia: Like everyone else. We strictly adhere to the Corona rules and we do not try to endanger ourselves or others. It not only jeopardizes health, but also social services and the economy. We have come to terms with the condition and no problems with the restrictions. Besides, I think it's just a question of your imagination how you spend your day doing other things and how you make your personal life meaningful.
You have lived in Switzerland for many years, are you thinking of returning to Germany at some point?
Prussia: I have found my home, my peace and satisfaction here. I don't think I want to change that.