French Literature Reviews - 2026

Th. Ostermeier, Theatre and Fear
Theatre and Performance

Theatre and Fear
Thomas Ostermeier
Jitka Pelechova (Editor), Georges Banu (Editor)

Publication date: 03/02/2016 Publisher: Actes Sud Series: Le temps du théâtre ISBN: 978-2-330-03987-5 EAN: 9782330039875 Format: Large Format Binding: Paperback No. of pages: 128 p.

"Thomas Ostermeier makes the present his chosen territory. As he puts it: 'Very few directors are interested in what human beings are, not in their essence, but in their present.' He conducts this examination by constantly linking it to the realities of currently dominant economic thought. His theatre invites us to become aware of the threats looming over humanity, without offering the slightest prospect of redemption. Ostermeier's theatre stands as a spearhead in our anxious world." - Georges Banu.

Thomas Ostermeier made a striking debut with his productions at the Baracke, a venue affiliated with the Deutsches Theater which he was invited to direct in 1996. There, he established himself through the radical nature of his approach and his pursuit of a synthesis between practice and theory. In 1999, he was appointed director of the Schaubühne, a renowned theatre then on the verge of collapse, which has since been restored to its status as a benchmark of modern performance.
In 2004, he served as associate artist for the Festival d'Avignon, and previously, in 2000, he received the New Realities Prize as part of the Europe Theatre Prize. In 2011, the Venice Biennale awarded him the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement. A monograph dedicated to him was published in the "Mettre en scène" series by Actes Sud-Papiers in 2006.

Thomas Ostermeier has long occupied a prominent position in contemporary European stage direction, notably through his leadership at the Schaubühne and his distinctive productions that engage directly with contemporary social realities. His approach bridges practical staging with theoretical reflection, establishing a voice within modern theatrical landscapes. This volume, edited by Jitka Pelechova and Georges Banu and published by Actes Sud, documents aspects of his artistic trajectory, creative philosophy, and the institutional contexts that have shaped his career in international theatre.

Readers interested in contemporary directing practices and the intersection of performance with current economic and social thought may find this volume relevant to their inquiries. The book touches upon key milestones in Ostermeier's career, including his early work at the Baracke, his leadership of the Schaubühne, and his recognition through international awards such as the Golden Lion from the Venice Biennale. It presents an overview of a director whose work consistently confronts the anxieties of the present moment through the medium of the stage.