Entertainer Topsy Küppers, famed for her songwriting and acting roles, has passed away.
Topsy Kuppers: A Cabaret Legend Bids Farewell
Born in Aachen, Germany in 1931, Topsy Kuppers left an indelible mark on the local cabaret scene in her 93 years. This celebrated actress, singer, and author passed away, her legacy confirmed by her daughter, actress Sandra Kreisler, to ORF. Kuppers' life was a remarkable journey, one that began in Germany and took her to Austria, where she became an artistic powerhouse.
A Passionate Performer
Kuppers honed her acting, dance, and singing skills in Germany and made her debut in various cities like Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich. In the 50s and 60s, she graced the silver screen in post-war tearjerker films like "Uns gefällt die Welt" and "Die wilde Auguste". Leaving Germany behind in 1962, she moved to Austria with her then-husband, cabaret legend Georg Kreisler, a union that lasted until their separation in 1975.
Vienna: A City of Art and Opportunity
Kuppers found Vienna to be "the most significant art city in the world," and it became her creative home. In 1976, she established the Free Stage Wieden, a milestone in her illustrious career that lasted a remarkable 25 years. Her reign at the Free Stage Wieden was marked by numerous groundbreaking productions, including the Kreisler classic "Heute Abend Lola Blau", which boasts over 1,000 performances and was the center of a heated copyright dispute following the couple's divorce.
A Voice against Injustice
Kuppers' work seamlessly combined light-hearted wit with serious intent, as she fought against misogyny, anti-Semitism, and fascism. Her performances offered thought-provoking and entertaining content in programs like "Pardon? Wenn ich abweiche...", "Gehackte Zores", "Weit von wo", "Amoureuses, Scandaleuses, Heiteres und so Weiteres", or "Oldies sind Goldies". The Free Stage Wieden soon became a temporary haven for acting greats such as Erika Pluhar, Christiane Hoerbiger, Gerhard Toetschinger, Ernst Stankovski, Werner Schneyder, and Louise Martini.
Topsy Kuppers: More than a Performer
Besides her work as a director, Kuppers also released a series of CDs and books. Among her works are "Alle Traeume fuehren nach Wien. Ein Tatsachenroman" about the life of Vera Kalman and "Lauter liebe Leute. Ein dicker Brief an mein Publikum", a heartfelt chronicle of a theater director's joys and sorrows in Vienna. Though negotiations for her theater's leadership did not go as planned, she eventually handed the reins to the late author and dramatist Gerald Szyszkowitz.
Recognition for a Lifetime of Achievement
Kuppers' contributions to Vienna and cabaret were not unnoticed. She received the City of Vienna's Culture Prize, the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, and the professional title of Professor, in recognition of her profound impact on the art scene.
Legacy and Remembrance
Vienna's Mayor, Michael Ludwig, described Küppers as "a moral voice of this city" and recognized her ability to blend entertainment, conviction, lightness, and seriousness in her performances. Cultural Councilor Veronica Kaup-Hasler praised Küppers as a "fighter against antisemitism, misogyny, and forgetting," her courage and unique stage presence to be sorely missed.
In conclusion, Topsy Küppers left an indelible mark on the Austrian cabaret scene, her influence remaining undiminished through the performers and writers she inspired. A true icon, her enduring legacy is a testament to her daring innovation and unwavering commitment to art and social justice.
- Topsy Kuppers, a prominent figure in the Austrian cabaret scene, honed her skills in Germany before moving to Vienna, where she established the Free Stage Wieden and excelled as a performer, director, and advocate against injustice.
- In recognizing her profound impact on the art scene, Vienna's Mayor, Michael Ludwig, described Topsy Kuppers as a "moral voice of this city," commending her ability to seamlessly blend entertainment, conviction, lightness, and seriousness in her performances.
