The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant & Blood on the Neck of the Cat

By Rainer Werner Fassbinder

The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant: Petra is a prominent fashion designer who lives with Marlene, her much put-upon assistant. Petra is deeply attracted to the younger Karin and asks her to move in. But Karin is married and plans on rejoining her husband later. Petra is upset by this but still gives Karin money for a flight to Frankfurt to meet her husband. Drunk on her 35th birthday, a huge row erupts between Petra, her daughter, Gaby, her mother Valerie, and her friend, Sidonie, who gives Petra a doll as a birthday present. Karin eventually telephones, but Petra declines to see her. Afterwards, Petra apologizes to Marlene suggesting they work together again. Marlene simply packs her bags, and leaves silently, taking the doll with her.

This play is combined in a dual edition with:

Blood on the Neck of the Cat: An alien from space named Phoebe Zeitgeist arrives at a cocktail party and learns about human beings from those attending. First the main characters deliver confessional monologues about themselves then Phoebe speaks one-on-one with the characters, picking up certain phrases and attitudes from them. Finally, Phoebe repeats some of what she has heard, with the other characters commenting that she must be either drunk or smart.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1738476944
• ISBN13: 9781738476947
• Release Date: March 2026
• Publisher: Amber Lane Press
• Length: 128 Pages