Political figures pay tribute to the late theater director Peymann.
Claus Peymann, a titan of the German theater known for his provocative and renewing approach, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88 in Berlin-Köpenick. The announcement was made by the German Press Agency, with Miriam Lüttgemann, the former managing director of the Berliner Ensemble, confirming the sad news.
Born on June 7, 1937, in Bremen, Peymann began his career as a director and theater manager at the Theater am Turm (TAT) in Frankfurt from 1966 to 1969. He is notable for premiering influential works by Peter Handke, such as "Offending the Audience" (1966) and "Kaspar," and for initiating a long-standing collaboration with Austrian author Thomas Bernhard by premiering his play "A Party for Boris" in 1970.
Throughout his illustrious career, Peymann led several major theaters, including the Schaubühne, Berlin (1971), Stuttgart State Theatres (1974), Schauspielhaus Bochum (1979-1986), Burgtheater, Vienna (1986-1999), and the Berliner Ensemble (1999-2017). His tenure at these institutions saw the production of groundbreaking plays and the development of each theater into a significant cultural institution.
Peymann was known for his innovative productions that challenged traditional theater norms. He saw the stage as a battleground for artistic freedom, friction, and radical honesty. His work with Handke and Bernhard introduced new forms of drama that sparked public debate and left a lasting impact on modern German theater.
Peymann's contributions were recognised with numerous awards, including the Theaterpreis Berlin in 1995 and an honorary membership of the Burgtheater in 2012. Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner called Peymann one of the most influential personalities of modern German theater, while Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer paid tribute to the late theater director.
Kai Wegner also stated that Peymann significantly shaped Berlin's culture, leaving a legacy of innovative theater practices and collaborations with influential playwrights. His death on July 16, 2025, marks the end of an era in German theater, leaving behind a legacy of freedom, friction, and radical honesty on the stage.
Claus Peymann's groundbreaking plays, which he developed during his tenure at various theaters including the Berliner Ensemble, contributed significantly to the realm of entertainment, challenging traditional theater norms and introducing new forms of drama.
Throughout his illustrious career, Peymann's innovative productions zeroed in on artistic freedom, friction, and radical honesty, making him a titan in the entertainment industry.
