Topsy Küppers: A life for theater and Jewish identity

Topsy Küppers: A life for theater and Jewish identity

Wien, Österreich - With great grief we say goodbye to Topsy Küppers, one of the most striking personalities in the German-Austrian cultural scene. The versatile book author, filmmaker and theater director in Vienna died on June 14, 2025. Until the end, she was a creative fireworks that gave the audience a lot. Your stories and commitment will always be remembered. Her work and her work are closely linked to the Jewish culture, which she often addressed in her work.

Topsy Küppers was born in Aachen on August 17, 1931 and experienced her childhood in a time of great uncertainty. After the end of the Nazi rule, she pursued her long-cherished goal of becoming an actress. It was not the easiest way for a Jew in the time, as was the double discrimination against Jewish women, of which many were denied access to social participation, as the Federal Center for Political Education .

a life for the stage

Her debut she celebrated her debut in 1954 in the film "Guitars of Love" and soon there were numerous important engagements, especially at the Munich Kammerspiele and in the Munich State Theater. In 1958 she married the composer and cabaret artist Georg Kreisler. They performed together in the following years before they finally separated in 1975. The daughter Sandra Kreisler and a son come from this marriage.

1976 she founded the Freie Bühne Wieden Theater in Vienna. This theater devoted itself to the preservation of Jewish literature and became her life's work. Topsy acted there as a "principal", dared to write her own cabaret programs and was committed to the re-performance of exiled writers. She did not let go of her passion into old age. Her trips led her to countries of the Eastern Bloc and Israel, where she steadily expanded her cultural horizon.

a heart for the literature

Topsy Küppers was not only active on stage. She also left a remarkable work as a book author. Her best known writings include:

• "Loud dear people. A big letter to my audience" (1996)
• "All dreams lead to Vienna. A factual novel" (2001)
• "Wolf brass.
• "If your life is dreary - it enlightens it with humor!
• "My Ungustl. A disgusting guest" (2014)
• "The brothers sapphire. A factual novel" (2018)
• "Nothing like Zores. Jewish life and love" (2020)

With her second husband Carlos Springer, she found support in her artistic career. Topsy was a role model in the combative examination of anti -Semitism and misogyny. She continued her tireless work until shortly before her death, and she always kept a close connection to her audience, which made her a popular figure in the Austrian cultural scene.

For many she was more than one artist; It was a voice of emancipation and cultural memory. In their works, not only their personal fate is reflected, but also the many women like you who were looking for their place in a society characterized by prejudices. Topsy Küppers has continued this search tirelessly in its pieces, books and films. Her heir remains in the hearts and thoughts of the people she touched.

We will miss you, dear Topsy, but your words and your work will continue to accompany us.