Berlin Ensemble mourns the loss of cultural leader Claus Peymann with a condolence book

Berlin Ensemble mourns the loss of cultural leader Claus Peymann with a condolence book

The theater world has lost one of its greatest protagonists: Claus Peymann died at the age of 88. He died in Berlin on Wednesday, July 17, 2025. The Berlin Ensemble, where Peymann has been director for over 18 years, left a condolence book in the treasurer in honor of the well -known director and theater director. Here mourners can leave their thoughts and memories in order to prove the last honor of the theater legend. As the Tagesschau , the book is an expression of the common pain and gratitude for what Peymann has done for the world.

a pioneer of the political theater

Peymann's importance for the political theater in Germany is undisputed. In a tradition in which topics such as social injustice and class struggles play a central role, he has left a lasting impression. The influence of Bertolt Brecht, one of the most important representatives of the political theater, is unmistakable. Peymann also wanted to inspire the audience to act. His goal was to make the Berlin ensemble a "ripper in the ass of the powerful", an undertaking, but he did not fully succeed. He often expressed his criticism of Berlin's theater policy and described many politicians as "cultural Banausen", which not only earned him credibility among the audience, but also numerous opponents. How the time was always inseparable with a political statement.

His last stop at the Berlin Ensemble was characterized by critical arguments with political issues. It also remains unforgettable that he himself was responsible for the dismissal of actor Herbert Grönemeyer because of his supposed talentlessness, a decision that he later described as one of his worst mistakes.

a lasting inheritance

Claus Peymann was more than just a theater director; He was a pioneer that decisively shaped the discourse in the theater landscape. The political dimension of the theater, which is still taken up today by many artists and director, is deeply rooted in tradition that Peymann shaped. Social critical pieces that indicate social grievances are still important in his mind. The Federal Center for Political Education describes the evolutionary development of the political theater that has a significant impact.

his death leaves a gap that will be difficult to fill. But his inheritance will continue, and the memory of his work and his strong voice will still sail in German and Austrian theater for a long time.