Jonathan Calderon | Under the skin

Under the Skin

Based on a true story
Tel-Aviv, 1991. Kirsten, a young German reporter, arrives at Charlotte’s door. Through probing questions, Kirsten seeks to unveil the suppressed ghosts from Charlotte’s past, centered around her once-promising career as a Jewish Prima Ballerina, abruptly cut short in her prime.

As the evening progresses, Charlotte unveils a love affair she had with her lesbian Nazi SS commander, Ilse Kohlmann, at Neugraben concentration camp. Charlotte shares with Kirsten the complexities of their relationship and the profound impact it had on her.

Germany, 1945. As the war nears its end and her prisoners are transferred to Bergen Belsen, Ilse Kohlmann, donning a prisoner uniform, willingly infiltrates into the hellish death camp to share the same fate as her lover.

Throughout the play, there are flashbacks in which the roles of the German reporter and Charlotte interchange, with Kirsten portraying the young prisoner, and the Holocaust survivor embodying the persona of the Nazi woman. This narrative device compels the audience to confront the intricacies of love and survival during one of history’s darkest periods.

Historical research

The play is based on the true story of a love affair between the lesbian Nazi officer Anneliese Kohlmann and one of her female Jewish prisoners in Neuengamme concentration camp.

It is based on Kohlmann's Belsen trial transcript, and on Holocaust survivors' testimonies, including the testimony of Ruth Bondy, a well-known Israeli writer, translator and journalist.

This historical pictures shows women guards shortly after their arrest at Bergen Belsen, 02 May 1945. The first three are wearing their Nazi uniforms while Kohlmann is in a poorly fitted men's uniform because, when arrested, she was wearing a prisoner's clothing.

Reviews

Yonatan Calderon wrote a play that is surprising in its accuracy. His story is strong, true, brave and touching. It's excellently written [...] with great delicacy and skill.

Livit Even Paz

Blog

The acting of the three actresses is precise and sensitive, and succeeds in illustrating the emotional pressure in which the characters are subjected to both Periods.

Shai Bar Yaakov

Yedioth Ahronoth

A fascinating play that deals with a special story from the Holocaust and finds the key to its book in a play with structure and style Original.

Zvi Goren

stage

Both because of the play, and because of Rakefet Binyamin's sensitive staging, it is worth noting this play as exceptional In its quality.

Alice Blittenthal

Demarker

Playwright Jonathan Calderon concocted a short play of beauty astonishing.

Judi Herman

Jewish Renaissance

Short, sharp theatre Brave.

J²

Close Up Culture

The play encourages understanding and compassion and avoids From melodrama.

Keith Mckenna

British Theatre Guide

The play [...] digs deep into the human psyche to explore what war and power do to people and what love can do Do.

Culture Calling

one of the ten most interesting performances at the festival Camden.

Alice Saville

Timeout London

This story, which was secret until a few years ago, weaves together three sensitive topics that are still at the center of today's urgent events – race, sexual orientation, and relationships violence.

Cristina Stoica

Radio Bukarest

In my opinion, Calderon managed to breathe the new, fresh breath that the engagement with the Holocaust in the early 21st century demands.

Roee Chen

Dramaturgue, Gesher Theatre