On Stage in The Provinces – A Review on Willi Forst’s Early Career as A Theatrical Actor

Abstract

This article explores the early stage career of Viennese-born filmmaker Willi Forst, who would later establish himself as one of the leading figures in German-language cinema. Although Forst’s directorial achievements—particularly his celebrated musicals and Viennese films of the 1930s and 1940s—have been the subject of increasing scholarly attention, his formative years as a theatrical actor have received little systematic study. With only limited references in existing literature, this period following the end of World War I remains largely overlooked. Drawing on contemporary reviews, archival sources, and biographical accounts, the article examines Forst’s theatrical performances during the 1920s and considers how his experience on stage contributed to his later work as both actor and director in cinema. In doing so, it seeks to broaden the understanding of Forst’s artistic trajectory and to highlight the significance of his neglected beginnings for the development of his multifaceted career.