Ten years without Helmuth Lohner: a unique piece of Viennese theater art

Ten years without Helmuth Lohner: a unique piece of Viennese theater art

Josefstadt, Österreich - On June 23, 2013, the versatile artist Helmuth Lohner died, who not only showed what he had on it as an actor, but also as a theater director and director. His birthday, April 24, 1933, fell in Vienna-Ottakring, where he saw the light of day as the son of a locksmith. After an apprenticeship in the graphic trade and catching up for the Matura in evening courses, he decided to realize his dream of acting. After private acting lessons, he made his debut at the Baden City Theater in 1952, which gave the starting signal for an impressive career.

The path led him to the Klagenfurt city theater as an operetta buffo. From 1953 he was hired at the theater in Josefstadt, where he had to participate in over 60 premieres until 1963. His first meeting with the audience there was his appearance in "South Fruits" on July 25, 1953. In the following years, Lohner also appeared regularly at the Vienna Burgtheater and at the Salzburg Festival, and for 23 summer. He shone over ten years, especially in Hofmannsthal's “everyone”.

a man of diversity

What charm of wage could develop is not only shown in his classic roles as Richard, Hamlet and Faust. He also got down to business in strange roles. His work ranged from the most renowned stages in Berlin, Munich, Düsseldorf, Hamburg to Zurich. He not only shaped the theater in Josefstadt as an actor, but also managed the fortunes there as a director from 1997 to 2006.

cinematic he also left his tracks. Lohner made his debut in 1955 with "Hotel Adlon" by Josef von Báky. In the following years he was seen in popular entertainment films such as "The tavern in the Spessart" and "The Beautiful Liar". He was also active on television from 1963 and directed productions such as "My grandpa is the best" in the 1990s.

awards and commitment

As a favorite of the audience, he was showered with numerous honors, including the Kainz Medal (1980) and the Nestroy Ring (1988). His acting talent was recognized with the title "Austrian chamber actor" (1993) and the honorary membership of the theater in Josefstadt (2003). The golden honor for merits around the state of Vienna (2006) also crowned his work. In addition, Lohner was committed to social issues for life.

Until his death he suffered from esophageal cancer and left not only his art, but also two daughters, consistency and thermal, as well as numerous fans and admirers. He found his last resting place in the Grinzingen cemetery in Vienna, where he will always be remembered as a masterful talent and as a human -warm character. As the SN reports, his heir remains alive in the domestic cultural landscape.

in memory of an actor and person who has campaigned for his craft with passion and passion for his life, Helmuth Lohner will not forget.