Roger
Steinmann
How RUTHLESS went on to see the Lights of London
The longer Roger analyzed her situation and her personality, the more fascinated he got. For once, Ruth claimed that she never had any clue about her husband’s misdeeds. Has she, or hasn’t she…? Won’t the past constantly nag in one`s mind, day for day…? As a fairly intelligent woman, Ruth ought to scrutinize her past - her guilt. Facts wildly mixed with illusions… Well, won´t speak her mental digesting of her past to a lot of us?
Roger started taking notes while he was busy directing and producing Win=WIN in Zurich/Switzerland, his stage-satire about social distancing. After its premiere on October 7, 2022, he focused on the Madoff-play, written in his maternal tongue German, as TEUFELSKREIS. Roger concentrated the story solely on the character of Ruth Madoff, by depicting the day when the news of her incarcerated husband`s death shook the life of the lonely and destitute 80 year old.
The full-length `One-Woman-Trauma` created immediate interest with well-known German speaking Actresses, among them Dagmar Koller and Diana Körner, for a premiere in Austria and in Germany, respectively.
But it was only after Roger adapted the play into English, titled RUTHLESS, its production started early 2025. In London, there were nearly 100 UK-actresses interested and evaluated between February and April - including stars of the stature of Vanessa Redgrave and Maureen Lipman. But most were either unable to master this demanding role, being 85 minutes all by oneself on stage, or simply unavailable, as the premiere was set for June 3, 2025. When the same difficulties happened for local directors and producers, Roger over these duties over himself – a first time for him in the UK.
Bernie Madoff at his arrest in 2008,
Richard Dreyfuss and Blythe Danner, Robert DeNiro and Michelle Pfeiffer (left)
as Bernie and Ruth Madoff
and destitute Ruth Madoff in her 80s
With Bernie Madoff`s demise on April 14, 2021, there were many details of his life reappearing. Swiss-Author Roger Steinmann casually did recall the huge Madoff-scandal from 2008. He dug deeper and found a lot of coverage about the biggest fraudster in financial history.
There was a doc-series on Netflix about him; there were even two high profile films, with Robert DeNiro and Richard Dreyfuss impersonating him; and there were a number of publications.
But - what about his wife Ruth? The one who was with him all her life, married for 62 years? Well, her back story was covered scarcely, at the side. But – how is her fate? How is her daily life, now at 80? After all, she was the companion of one of the biggest criminals the world has ever seen!
Roger, 2nd from right, at the Premiere of WIN=WIN in Zurich, October 7, 2022
Emily is directed by Roger during rehearsals in Phuket, early May 2025
Emily in full swing during rehearsals at the London-stage, surrounded by Andrew, Bernie and Mark Madoff; end May 2026
Emily rehearses on the stage of Arches Lane Theatre at Battersea, London
I
Eventually, Emily Swain was cast on April 21 in the titular role. At once, lengthy conversations started between actress and director on a daily basis, as Roger was at his second domicile in Phuket/Thailand. Emily enthusiastically agreed do the first part of rehearsal under palm trees at a sandy beach, between May 2 and 13.
On May 20, the rehearsal continued in London. The remaining crew was recruited, and not less than 16 Off Voices were recorded by international speakers. Several press interviews took place, including one on BBC-Radio.
On May 28 and June 1, the show had its previews, and on June 3, 2025, the Premiere took place as the opening show at the newly opened Arches Lane Theater at Battersea Power Station, right on the Thames in the heart of the city of London.
After 31 performances, the show wrapped on June 29.
'
Roger and Emily with one of the ADs/Stand-Ins, Ivan Imanuel, during rehearsals
Spectators with Roger and Emily, 4th and 5th from left; Preview of May 28
Role-Applicants Laura Shipler Chico, Victoria Jeffrey, and Andrea Furlotti (from left), with Roger, June 5
Emily and Roger with PR-agent Geri Perry in front of BBC Radio London, June 8