Alexander Lang, an actor and director, passed away.
Alexander Lang, a well-known theater actor, director, and theater head, has sadly passed away at the age of 82 in Berlin. The Academy of Arts shared the news, indicating that it came from his private inner circle. Lang had been a member of the Academy since 1986. Born in 1941 in Erfurt, Alex initially went through an apprenticeship before attending the State Theater School in Berlin. In 1966, he began working at the Maxim Gorki Theater in Berlin, followed by the Berliner Ensemble in 1967 and the Deutsches Theater in 1969.
Alexander acted as Ferdinand in "Kabale und Liebe," Paul Bauch in Volker Braun's "Die Kipper," Caliban in Shakespeare's "The Tempest" directed by Friedo Solter, and the title role in Kleist's "Prinz Friedrich von Homburg." In 1977, he graced the stage as Philoctetes in Heiner Müller's "Philoktet."
In the late 70s, Alex delved into directing, shaping the East German theater scene with his exceptional interpretations of classics. He directed in theaters in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Paris, Leipzig, Weimar, and Wiesbaden. He once declared, "Theater is always a dynamic process. Contemporary history constantly affects the interpretation history."
"Influencing generations of actors and directors"
The Academy of Arts celebrated Alex's 2020 Konrad Wolf Prize with the statement, "At the Deutsches Theater, he initiallyAmazed audiences as a captivating young protagonist, and from 1976 onwards, he established a fresh, authentic classical theater as a director with a dedicated ensemble." The jury acclaimed his "charming wit and thought-provoking fantasy." Lang's work had a "significant impact, not only from East to West but also on the current theater generation."
In 1988, Jürgen Flimm invited Alex to the Thalia Theater in Hamburg where he served as Artistic Director for the Theater. Additionally, he held roles as General Manager of the Berliner Schillertheater and Co-Intendant of the State Theaters Berlin.
Beyond his remarkable career in theater, Lang also performed in various television and film productions. His most iconic role was playing the philosopher Ralph in Konrad Wolf's "Solo Sunny" from 1980.
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Despite his notable achievements in theater and films, Alexander Lang's impact extended beyond the arts. His influence in East German theater was felt by subsequent generations, democratizing classical interpretations and fostering a unique theater scene. Due to his contributions, Lang was posthumously honored with the Konrad Wolf Prize in 2020.
Sadly, discussions about Lang's legacy in the entertainment industry are now interwoven with current affairs, as the GDR-era actor and director becomes a subject of memorials and retrospectives, highlighting his lasting impact on the field even past his death.
