Berliner Ensemble mourns cultural leader Claus Peymann with a book of condolence

Berliner Ensemble mourns cultural leader Claus Peymann with a book of condolence

The theater world has lost one of its greatest protagonists: Claus Peymann has died at the age of 88. He died on Wednesday, July 17, 2025, in Berlin. The Berliner Ensemble, where Peymann was director for over 18 years, has left a condolence book in the box office foyer in honor of the well-known director and theater director. Here, mourners can leave their thoughts and memories as a way of paying their last respects to the theater legend. As the daily news reports, the book is an expression of shared pain and gratitude for what Peymann has done for the theater landscape.

Born in Bremen, Peymann worked at renowned stages in Germany and Austria. From 1986 to 1999 he was director of the Burgtheater in Vienna before heading the Berliner Ensemble until 2017. His work was not only artistic, but also politically influenced. Peymann was known for his provocative views and actions, which were often met with resistance. In Stuttgart he was even declared “public enemy number one” after he supported a call for donations for the right-wing extremist terrorist Gudrun Ensslin. He himself explained that terrorists should also be seen as people, which earned him not only support but also severe criticism.

A pioneer of political theater

Peymann's importance for political theater in Germany is undisputed. He left a lasting impression, particularly in a tradition in which issues such as social injustice and class struggles play a central role. The influence of Bertolt Brecht, one of the most important representatives of political theater, is unmistakable. Peymann also wanted to inspire the audience to take action. His goal was to make the Berliner Ensemble a “fang in the ass of the powerful,” an undertaking that he did not fully succeed in. He often expressed his criticism of Berlin's theater policy and described many politicians as "cultural philistines", which not only earned him credibility among the audience, but also numerous opponents. As the Time records, his name and his style were always inextricably linked to a political statement.

His last station at the Berliner Ensemble was marked by critical discussions of political issues. It also remains unforgotten that he himself was responsible for the dismissal of actor Herbert Grönemeyer because of his alleged lack of talent, a decision that he later described as one of his worst mistakes.

A lasting legacy

Claus Peymann was more than just a theater director; He was a pioneer who decisively shaped the discourse in the theater landscape. The political dimension of theater, which is still taken up by many artists and directors today, is deeply rooted in the tradition that Peymann helped to shape. Socially critical pieces that point out social injustices continue to be important in his mind. The Federal Agency for Civic Education describes the evolutionary development of political theater, which Peymann significantly influenced.

His death leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. But his legacy will endure, and the memory of his work and his strong voice will resonate in German and Austrian theater for a long time.