René Pollesch, maverick German theatre director, dies aged 61

The pioneer of ‘discourse theatre’ and director of Berlin’s influential Volksbühne died on Monday morning

René Pollesch, maverick pioneer of “discourse theatre”, blending pop with critical theory, and director of Berlin’s influential Volksbühne, has died aged 61, his theatre has announced.

“With dismay and deep sadness we must announce that the author and director René Pollesch died suddenly and unexpectedly in the morning of 26 February 2024,” said a spokesperson for the Volksbühne, which Pollesch had led since 2021. No cause of death has been named.