Janine Hickl: Nothing in Between
In 1933 Hedy Lamarr was 18 years old when she was catapulted into sudden infamy when she depicted the first female orgasm on the silver screen.
The film Ecstasy was both her making and her undoing. She became a major Hollywood star, called the most beautiful woman in the world. But Hedy could never really escape the film’s notoriety. She was pigeon-holed as a sex symbol - and that overshadowed another side of her. Hedy the inventor, who came up with a visionary idea that laid the foundations for WiFi.
Hedy’s invention is a little-known moment in history, and it’s inspired fellow Austrian actress and singer Janine Hickl’s Nothing in Between: the Simple Complicated Life of Hedy Lamarr.
Hickl performs as Hedy, seamlessly weaving beautiful prose in between singing well-known, but newly-arranged, Viennese and French chansons and swing classics. Hickl is accompanied by Cäcilla Altenberger on cello and Bernd Leichtfried on piano.
It’s a clever and powerful way to dramatise Hedy's extraordinary and tumultuous life, from her dramatic escape from the Nazis, the Second War World and a controlling, arms-dealing husband. To her stardom in Hollywood, her six marriages, and her invention.
But we don’t just go on a journey through the key moments in Hedy’s life, we’re also transported into Hedy’s head and her heart. Hickl creates a character of depth and sincerity through her commendable versatility as an actor, her skilful storytelling and her clever use of music.
Hickl is a huge fan of and expert in both swing and chansons, and, as the producer of Nothing in Between, she’s chosen some brilliant songs from the various eras Hedy lived through - she was born in November 1914 and died in January 2000. The musical interludes serve as emotional punctuation marks that heighten the impact of Lamarr's triumphs and tribulations. The lyrics also beautifully encapsulate and mirror the very many different emotional states that Hedy went through.
She effortlessly transitions between the roles of storyteller and singer, creating a seamless flow that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.
Hickl’s Hedy is enrapturing, at times sharply witty, charming and vulnerable. And her physical likeness to the Hollywood actress is also striking, which adds to the compelling authenticity Hickl brings to the role.
She pulls off an exceptional and captivating performance, mesmerising the audience for 75 minutes. Hedy’s story and Hickl’ performance leaves a lasting impression as you reflect on all the issues raised by the show. Hedy’s search for happiness and belonging and her constant struggle to be seen for who she really was: a complicated, multi-faceted woman with an inventive mind, not just a beautiful face.
Nothing in Between is another Hickl production that demonstrates her commitment to sharing the often untold stories of fascinating women, celebrating their achievements, challenges, and humanity. She’s also produced equally inspiring shows focusing on The Andrews Sisters, Edith Piaf, Topsy Küppers, Divas from the the 20s to the 60s (including Marlene Dietrich, Zarah Leander, Trude Herr). Hickl’s a talent to watch.
Austrian Cultural Forum, New York, 8 March 2023.