WILLIAM TELL, Friedrich Schiller’s drama about the eponymous Swiss national hero, was directed by Claus Peymann for the Vienna Burgtheater in 1989, Starring Josef Bierbichler and the legendary Gert Voss. “The cast is a stroke of genius.” (Der Standard)

Claus Peymann’s direction of Schiller’s play about oppression, rebellion and human rights is not so much a flaming appeal than the subtle search for human behavior in a social conflict. Gert Voss as the despot Gessler does not incorporate power and cruelty as something demonic but seems all the more dangerous by his obvious normality. Josef Bierbichler as WILLIAM TELL is unique – not a freedom fighter, not a political agitator, but someone who had rather be left alone and does what he has to do when the time is right.