Therese Giehse

Therese Giehse (1898-1975) was a renowned German actress and cabaret performer, celebrated for her powerful interpretations of roles in works by Bertolt Brecht and Friedrich Dürrenmatt. Born in Munich to German-Jewish parents, Giehse's passion for theatre emerged at an early age, leading her to the stage in 1920. She co-founded the political cabaret 'Die Pfeffermühle' in 1933 and played pivotal roles in the premieres of Brecht's 'Mother Courage and Her Children' and Dürrenmatt's 'The Visit of the Old Lady'. Giehse's life was marked by political engagement and resilience, as she emigrated from Germany in 1933, living in Switzerland, the USA, and the UK before returning to Munich after the war. Her notable performances include 'Mother Courage', 'The Physicists', and her role in Helmut Dietl's TV series 'Münchner Geschichten'. Giehse's legacy endures as one of the most influential and beloved figures on German-speaking stages of the 20th century.