Dead Ladies Show #39: the 10th anniversary edition

Each show hosts passionate cheerleaders of too-oft forgotten women, inviting its loyal audience into a sexy séance (of sorts) celebrating these impressive icons, turbulent lives, and deathless legacies.


It’s our tenth anniversary! How did that happen? So we’re jubilating to the max, bringing you three ladies we’ve always wanted to talk about but never quite dared. And seeing as it’s our birthday, we’re doing it all in English – it’s our party and we’ll cry if we want to. Our fantastic podcast producer Susan Stone will be presenting, alongside your beloved co-hosts Florian Duijsens and Katy Derbyshire.

As for you, our charming audience, we thought we’d offer you a fun opportunity. All you have to do is DRESS UP AS A DEAD LADY OF YOUR CHOICE, and we’ll let you in for free! Join us to marvel over how time’s passed, while looking ahead to a future full of laudable dead ladies. In a good way!

Standard tickets cost €10 and the reduced price is €4. Doors open 7:30 pm – come on time to get a good seat!


And who are the ladies we’ve always wanted to talk about?

Caroline of Brunswick was officially queen of the United Kingdom and Hanover for three whole weeks before she died in 1821, long-estranged from her horrible husband, her cousin King George IV. They had separated shortly after the birth of their only child, and Caroline’s access to her daughter was restricted. She later moved to Italy and lived with a handsome secretary, prompting huge amounts of gossip and countless caricatures. When George ascended to the throne, Caroline tried to cash in on her popularity and become queen, but she was literally locked out of the coronation.

Marlene Dietrich is the queen of our hearts – and of eyebrows and palazzo pants. Born in Berlin in 1901, she conquered Hollywood in the 1930s and helped refugees to escape Germany, then performed for thousands of Allied troops during the war. Later she switched to cabaret, thrilling audiences with her performances and daring costumes. Toward the end of her life, she apparently chatted regularly to world leaders on the phone, running up large montly bills. Although many West Germans saw her as a traitor, and she vowed never to return, she was buried near her birthplace in Schöneberg in 1992.

Betty Mae Tiger Jumper was the first female chief of the Seminole Tribe in Florida. Born in 1923, when Native American children were not permitted to attend segregated schools for either white or Black children, she persuaded her mother to send her to out-of-state boarding school. She was the first Seminole to graduate high school, and among the first to read and write English. Betty earned a nursing degree and became tribal healthcare director, convincing her fellow Seminoles to accept vaccinations. She later founded a newspaper, was elected as tribal leader, helped create her Tribe’s constitution, and wrote three books, all while having an awesome name.

Katy Derbyshire is a literary translator and part-time publisher, co-host and co-founder of the Dead Ladies Show.

Florian Duijsens edits, teaches, translates, travels, and is the co-host and co-founder of the Dead Ladies Show.

Susan Stone is a podcast producer and journalist writing about culture, social issues and business with a focus on Germany and Europe.