The Pink List is the new, one-person musical production from Michael Trauffer, who brought his previous show, Fabulett 1933, to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023.
The Pink List focuses on the reality of being queer in Germany in the aftermath of the fall of the Nazis. The German criminal justice system appropriated the records – the ‘pink lists’ previously drawn up by the Nazis, and carried on observing and harassing the men whose names appeared there.
Trauffer takes this trauma, and the real names he and his creative team have been able to trace, and weaves a fictional, but highly realistic, and deeply emotional tale of one man: Karl.
Karl’s story is told through the framing device of his 1957 trial for homosexuality. The state of being homosexual is the only requirement for conviction. Unlike in the UK, where gay men were also being persecuted and there was a requirement to be ‘caught in the act’, under German law there was no such necessity.
Here, Karl is before the court – again – for having been seen going home with ‘an unknown man’. Karl knows who he is, of course, but won’t betray his lover. That man who would similarly be arrested if the police could identify him. Instead, knowing that his case is hopeless and is to result in conviction, he allows the state to convict him.
As the case continues, Karl takes the audience through his life story. The vignettes tell us, in devastating and beautifully crafted precision, a tale of ongoing loneliness and betrayal.
Karl, already ‘othered’ due to having Communist parents, is ostracised by the other scouts when he joins their troop. That is until Heinz, who is popular and sporty, joins too and befriends a quickly-captivated Karl.
Having been invited to Christmas at Heinz’s house for several years, the friendship falters when Heinz joins the Hitler Youth. Persuaded by their propaganda, we later learn that he condemned his own parents for expressing doubts about Nazism.
Betrayal continues: Karl moves to Berlin, where he finds himself, his people and his safe space at the Fabulett Cabaret Club. It’s here that the worlds of The Pink List and Fabulett 1933 briefly overlap, with Karl also being present at MC Felix’s last night of freedom.
In this version of that last night, we learn that the Gestapo were waiting outside the club, and made a note of everyone who left. And so, the pink lists were born.
Subsequently, Karl is held in Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, later moved to Flossenburg, and eventually liberated. Finally released, Karl finds his way home to find his parents gone. We loop back around to the beginning and learn Karl’s fate in court.
A fascinating and compelling story, much of the bleakness that could threaten to overwhelm the importance of the story is offset by the use of songs.
Previously, in Fabulett 1933, Trauffer had been accompanied on stage by a pianist. Here, co-creative Sarah Morrison has supervised and orchestrated the music ahead of time, and Trauffer performs totally alone, with an accompanying music track.
The songs reflect the narrative at the points where they are included. Musically, they are tightly written.
Trauffer’s bold decision to appear entirely alone is to be commended. He has incredible presence, as he portrays Karl’s different ages and emotional states, singing, or story-telling as required.
Some shows are about more than just the specific story being told. They’re about bringing an audience’s attention to important, and often forgotten, moments in history. Moments that remind us that how we treat people who are a minority community reflects on the majority.
Whilst this show is about portraying a specific moment in history, it is not a huge leap to draw the conclusion that this is also a warning for the present. Some of the similarities to events happening globally, right now, are obvious.
The Pink List is an important piece of theatre that needs to be seen. And not just by queer people wanting to learn about a largely forgotten part of the community’s history. Also, by a wider audience who need to understand what happens when governments overreach their powers, and start treating people as ‘other’.
Fair warning that this show is, at times, a tough watch. But there would be little point in sugar-coating this story of how those in power rarely truly change, but merely shift their political affiliations. Doing so to ensure that they retain power over the lives and existences of those who just want to live in peace, and as they choose.
Trauffer has created a compelling and vital musical that should leave you angry, and possibly more than a little emotional. Highly recommended.
The Pink List continues at 13:40 in Coorie at Gilded Balloon Patter House, until August 7
Featured Image supplied by Michael Trauffer
