Stein, Peter (1937- )

German theatre director. He was artistic director of the politically radical Berlin Schaubühne 1970-85. Stein's early productions included Edward Bond's Saved (1967) and Goethe's Torquato Tasso (1969). These foreshadowed the spectacular staging of Ibsen's Peer Gynt (1971), and his exploratory show Shakespeare's Memory (1976). His final productions for the Schaubühne included Genet's The Blacks (1983) and Chekhov's Three Sisters (1984).

Known for his strict adherence to the original text of plays and aversion to modern multimedia performances, Stein has directed the plays of the German dramatist Botho Strauss, including The Park (1984), and operas for the Welsh Opera: Verdi's Otello (1986), and Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande (1992). Later plays include Goethe's Faust (2000) and Chekhov's The Seagull (2003).