Premiere of The Theater Maker”: New chapter in Bernhard’s legacy!

Premiere of The Theater Maker”: New chapter in Bernhard’s legacy!

The stage is back in the heart of Vienna: On October 28, 2025, the premiere of Thomas Bernhard's “The Theater Maker” will be celebrated at the Theater in der Josefstadt. This production was penned by Matthias Hartmann, the former director of the Burgtheater and one of the most famous directors in the German-speaking world. Hartmann has become known in the past not only for his artistic abilities but also for his controversies. His career took him through some of the most important theaters in Germany and Austria before he got wind of his sails for a while and resigned as artistic director at the Burgtheater. As Wikipedia) describes, he resigned from his role as director on March 11, 2014 after a financial scandal, but was entrusted with directing “The Theater Maker” in September 2023.

“The Theater Maker” is considered a scandalous piece written by Bernhard that critically examines the mechanisms and interaction of the theater world. Originally premiered at the Burgtheater, it is now coming to the stage again and shows once again how “theater” and “reality” are intertwined. Hartmann knows how to stage the plays of the great authors with a keen eye for the essentials. He has already proven this with productions such as “Phädra” and “The Last Witnesses” at the Burgtheater, which received high recognition. His ability to project conflicts and emotions onto the stage will also be central to this production.

An evening of honor

But that's not all that Vienna has to offer on this day. While the theater world is pulsating in the Josefstadt, another important event is taking place in the Vienna City Hall: a major tribute is being held on the occasion of the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss (son). The celebrations are an opportunity to honor the multifaceted life of the composer, who is considered a master of the waltz. The city and its cultural creators show how vibrant Strauss' legacy is to this day. One could say that musical Vienna has its hands full so to speak not to let the old maestro fall into oblivion.

In addition, Johann-Philipp Spiegelfeld visits Artstetten Castle in Lower Austria for his program “Reign Times”. He shares his experiences on the episode's editing floor as his team explores the castle's history. In doing so, he shows that historical events and people are often about personal anecdotes that can shape our understanding of history.

A look into theater history

The Strauss Theater, built in 1908, has had an eventful history in Vienna's theater landscape. As the Historywiki notes, the theater was originally opened as the first Viennese operetta theater and could accommodate over 1,190 people. After various transformations and challenges, it was rebuilt in the 1970s, but to this day retains the memories of its eventful past. Strauss' great operettas are anchored in the city's collective memory and demonstrate how important theater is for Vienna's cultural identity.

As you can see, October 28, 2025 will be a day when the stage, the music and the stories of the past go hand in hand, and the Viennese will once again have the pleasure of enjoying culture. Bravo, Wien! Die Vorfreude ist groß.