Erwin Axer (1 January 1917 – 5 August 2012) was a Polish theatre director, writer and university professor. A long-time head of Teatr Współczesny (Contemporary Theatre) in Warsaw, he also staged numerous plays abroad, notably in German-speaking countries, in the US and Leningrad (USSR).[1] Laureate of Witkacy Prize – Critics' Circle Award (1993).
Although born in Vienna, Erwin Axer spent most of his early years in Lwów (modern Lviv, Ukraine). Born to a wealthy Jewish family of Maurycy Axer, a noted lawyer, and Ernestine née Schuster, young Erwin decided to devote his life to theatre. In late 1930s his début was Moon of the Caribbes by Eugene O'Neill. In 1938 he also staged Nędza uszczęśliwiona by Maciej Kamieński and The Tidings Brought to Mary by Paul Claudel. The following year he graduated from the State Institute of Theatrical Art and directed Miss Julie by August Strindberg.
However, the Invasion of Poland and the outbreak of World War II put his career to an end. He spent the first years of the Soviet occupation in Lwów, where he made his living acting and staging dramas in the communist-controlled Polish Dramatic Theatre, the only Polish-language theatre left open in the city. However, following the German takeover of the city and the arrest of his father, Axer moved to Warsaw.
He took part in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 and was taken prisoner by the Germans and sent to a quarry in Germany as a slave worker. After the war he returned to Poland and in 1946 became the head of the Chamber Theatre of the Soldiers' House in Łódź, an institution that moved to Warsaw the following year and was renamed the Teatr Współczesny. Axer headed that theatre for almost 40 years and retired only in 1981, following the imposition of the Martial Law in Poland.
Between 1954 and 1957 he also headed the National Theatre, the most prestigious scene in post-war Poland. Since 1949 he was also a professor at the Warsaw-based Theatrical Academy. After 1962 Axer regularly directed plays abroad. Among the countries he visited were Germany, Switzerland, USSR, USA and the Netherlands. He was invited by Georgy Tovstonogov to direct three performances at Bolshoy Drama Theatre in Leningrad; the first of them, "The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui" by Bertolt Brecht in 1963, was recognised as one of the best shows of the decade and had a profound influence on the next generation of Russian directors.[2] Since 1972 he has been a collaborator of the Viennese Burgtheater.
Referencesedit
^"Erwin Axer, legenda polskiego teatru nie żyje – WPROST". Wprost.pl. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
^"Петербургский театральный журнал". ptj.spb.ru. 26 June 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
Bibliographyedit
Magdalena Prokopowicz (ed.): "Żydzi Polscy. Historie niezwykłe". Warszawa: Wydawnictwo DEMART, 2010. ISBN978-83-7427-392-3.
erwin, axer, january, 1917, august, 2012, polish, theatre, director, writer, university, professor, long, time, head, teatr, współczesny, contemporary, theatre, warsaw, also, staged, numerous, plays, abroad, notably, german, speaking, countries, leningrad, uss. Erwin Axer 1 January 1917 5 August 2012 was a Polish theatre director writer and university professor A long time head of Teatr Wspolczesny Contemporary Theatre in Warsaw he also staged numerous plays abroad notably in German speaking countries in the US and Leningrad USSR 1 Laureate of Witkacy Prize Critics Circle Award 1993 Erwin Axer Contents 1 Life and career 2 References 3 Bibliography 4 External linksLife and career editAlthough born in Vienna Erwin Axer spent most of his early years in Lwow modern Lviv Ukraine Born to a wealthy Jewish family of Maurycy Axer a noted lawyer and Ernestine nee Schuster young Erwin decided to devote his life to theatre In late 1930s his debut was Moon of the Caribbes by Eugene O Neill In 1938 he also staged Nedza uszczesliwiona by Maciej Kamienski and The Tidings Brought to Mary by Paul Claudel The following year he graduated from the State Institute of Theatrical Art and directed Miss Julie by August Strindberg However the Invasion of Poland and the outbreak of World War II put his career to an end He spent the first years of the Soviet occupation in Lwow where he made his living acting and staging dramas in the communist controlled Polish Dramatic Theatre the only Polish language theatre left open in the city However following the German takeover of the city and the arrest of his father Axer moved to Warsaw He took part in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 and was taken prisoner by the Germans and sent to a quarry in Germany as a slave worker After the war he returned to Poland and in 1946 became the head of the Chamber Theatre of the Soldiers House in Lodz an institution that moved to Warsaw the following year and was renamed the Teatr Wspolczesny Axer headed that theatre for almost 40 years and retired only in 1981 following the imposition of the Martial Law in Poland Between 1954 and 1957 he also headed the National Theatre the most prestigious scene in post war Poland Since 1949 he was also a professor at the Warsaw based Theatrical Academy After 1962 Axer regularly directed plays abroad Among the countries he visited were Germany Switzerland USSR USA and the Netherlands He was invited by Georgy Tovstonogov to direct three performances at Bolshoy Drama Theatre in Leningrad the first of them The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht in 1963 was recognised as one of the best shows of the decade and had a profound influence on the next generation of Russian directors 2 Since 1972 he has been a collaborator of the Viennese Burgtheater References edit Erwin Axer legenda polskiego teatru nie zyje WPROST Wprost pl 2 August 2012 Retrieved 6 August 2012 Peterburgskij teatralnyj zhurnal ptj spb ru 26 June 2010 Retrieved 14 July 2010 Bibliography editMagdalena Prokopowicz ed Zydzi Polscy Historie niezwykle Warszawa Wydawnictwo DEMART 2010 ISBN 978 83 7427 392 3 External links editErwin Axer at IMDb Erwin Axer at culture pl Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Erwin Axer amp oldid 1209405897, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
