Theo Shall(1896-1955)

Much-traveled character actor. Born in Alsace-Lorraine of German ancestry, he became stateless after being deported in the wake of World War I. He subsequently acted in comedy plays with diverse theatres in Vienna, Zurich, Berlin, London and (touring) Australia, at the same time maintaining a busy career in films. Established the International Theatre in Berlin (1936), specialising in English and French language productions. Worked as artistic director until its closure by the Reich's Propaganda Ministry in 1939. Resident at the Deutschen Theater in East Berlin after the war and made appearances in left-wing propagandist films for Defa. Died after a lengthy illness in 1955.