Claus Peymann: Theater icon with sharp edges and large dreams

Claus Peymann: Theater icon with sharp edges and large dreams

Wien, Österreich - On July 18, 2025, we received the sad news of the death of the renowned theater man Claus Peymann, who was considered an enfant terrible of the German -speaking theater landscape. "I am a mammoth that no longer fits in time," said Peymann about himself. But despite his idiosyncratic way, he remains unforgettable and has significantly shaped the theater world. His views were often provocative and caused heated debates- both in the theater and in the political world.

Peymann's path led him through the most important stages in Europe. Born in 1937 and 1968, he was director of the Stuttgart and Bochum Theater before heading the Burgtheater in Vienna from 1986 to 1999. During this time he staged the premiere of Thomas Bernhard's controversial piece "Heldenplatz", which triggered nationwide outrage. After that, he was active at the Berlin Ensemble until 2017, where he, as the director, pursued the goal of making the house a "drawing tooth in the ass of the powerful", which he ultimately considered failed, since in his opinion there were too few truly opponents.

a life of controversy

his career was not only shaped by success. After a controversial call for donations for terrorist Gudrun Ensslin, he was declared "number one enemy of the state" in Stuttgart. "I wanted to show that terrorists are also people," he justified his decision. These provocative statements and actions regularly led to conflicts, but that did not prevent him from hearing with sharp criticism of other theater personalities and, for example, the then Secretary of Culture Tim Renner.

Despite numerous controversy, Peymann was extremely popular with the spectators. His pronounced sense of the theater, which was always a place of utopias for him, made it unmistakable. "Is the theater not responsible for designing utopias?" He often emphasized. His passion and tireless efforts for art left a lasting impression on many people.

cultural heritage

Peymann's legacy is not only recognized in Vienna and Berlin, but also internationally. According to theater.de, the theater has a long history that goes back to antiquity. Peymann has repeatedly reinterpreted this traditional line through innovative productions and new impulses. The theater itself has developed over centuries; From simple representations to complex pieces and from a purely male line to a diverse and inclusive stage.

The variety of theater that Peymann has promoted symbolizes the relevance and social importance of the theater to this day. In this way, his critical attitude towards today's theater policy does not go unmentioned. Many theater makers take his honest way, which did not stop even in difficult times, as an example. The loss of such a unique character will shape the Austrian and German theater landscape.

whether berserker, elegant gentleman or grante - the opinions about Claus Peymann were as diverse as his work himself. In any case, we will honor the memory of these great people and his extraordinary work. His last public performance took place on October 10, 2021 at a Matinee in the Theater in Josefstadt. In an interview with Renata Schmidtkunz, he reflected on his work and the many facets of the theater.

In these difficult hours, our condolences apply to the relatives and the theater community, who has lost a passionate advocate and tireless fighter. May his legacy continue to be inspiration for future generations of artists.