Renowned theatre director Claus Peymann passes away
In a sombre announcement, Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer mourned the loss of Claus Peymann, a titan of the theater, describing him as a master of provocation and renewal. The renowned German theater director and manager, known for his bold statements and controversial spirit, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88 in his home in Berlin-Köpenick.
Born in Bremen in 1937, Peymann's career began in the late 1960s as chief director at Frankfurt’s Theater am Turm (TAT), where he premiered important works by Peter Handke and Gerlind Reinshagen. His longstanding collaboration with Austrian author Thomas Bernhard began in the 1970s, premiering many of Bernhard's plays starting in 1970.
Peymann's tenure as director of drama at the Württemberg State Theaters in Stuttgart from 1974 earned attention for his classic productions like "The Robbers" and "Faust I and II." In 1977, he stirred controversy when supporting dental treatment donations for imprisoned Baader-Meinhof terrorists.
From 1979 to 1986, Peymann led the Schauspielhaus Bochum, elevating it into one of Germany’s leading theaters. His most renowned period was as director of the prestigious Burgtheater in Vienna from 1986 to 1999 and later managing the Berliner Ensemble until 2017. His leadership periods were marked by innovative yet often provocative stagings that challenged theatrical and political norms.
Peymann's political engagement through theater was evident in his outspoken nature and his willingness to engage with politically sensitive issues directly. His support for Baader-Meinhof prisoners' dental care and his championing of Thomas Bernhard’s works, known for their critical and often harsh commentary on Austrian society and politics, underline this commitment.
Peymann's impact on German theater is profound. He helped usher in modern, confrontational drama and firmly established venues like the Burgtheater and Berliner Ensemble as spaces for innovative, socially critical art. His work broadened theatrical repertoire and brought renewed international attention to German-language theater. He received prestigious honors such as the Theaterpreis Berlin in 1995 and honorary membership of the Burgtheater in 2012, underscoring his lasting legacy.
Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), called Peymann one of the most influential personalities of modern German theater. Actor Sabin Tambrea wrote on Instagram that Peymann shaped the German-speaking theater landscape like a primal force and thanked him from the bottom of his heart for their shared path. Peymann will be remembered as an unyielding champion of the freedom of art.
Despite criticism labeling his classic productions as outdated, Peymann continued to be passionate about theater. He was known for his verbal sparring and bold statements, which earned him the title of a controversial figure. Yet, his contributions to German and Austrian theatrical landscapes are undeniable.
Peymann's farewell from the Berliner Ensemble in 2017 was marked by his emphasis on the importance of love in theater. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and the art he inspired, leaving a lasting imprint on the world of theater.
The renowned theater director, Claus Peymann, was not only a master of provocation and renewal in the German theater scene but also a prominent figure in the entertainment world, engaging with celebrities like Austrian author Thomas Bernhard and stirring controversies through his political statements. His outspoken nature and unyielding championing of freedom of art earned him recognition as one of the most influential personalities of modern German theater.
